KRITI Film Club

The KRITI Film Club screens documentary and mainstream films and organises slide shows on range of issues connected with development, human rights, and social attitudes/trends. The club welcomes members the general public, as well amateur and professional filmmakers, of all ages to view Indian, South Asian, and international films. It provides a space for brainstorming and sharing experiences on various social issues highlighted in the films. Another key focus of the organisation is helping increase access of independent films to a larger audience beyond film festivals and special screenings (KRITI keep the films for sale at its workplace after screenings).

The club works to engage people - especially the 'non-converted' - through film. KRITI screens films or slide shows once a month (as of this writing, on the third Saturday of every month at 5:45 p.m.) at its New Delhi workplace. The average attendance at these shows is between 7-12 persons, apart from the filmmaker. In order to maintain momentum and interest, the organisation shows the film even if only one or two people from outside the KRITI team attend. It is KRITI's practice not to screen a movie before the public viewing to decide whether or not it should be shown. Organisers say, "We like to make this a space for all films and to allow spontaneous feedback to the filmmaker. We don't want to only screen 'good' films as all efforts need appreciation and critique in public."

A sampling of the films screened as part of this initiative include:

• "Portraits of Belonging: Bhai Mian", by Sameera Jain - explores the journey of a kite maker who lives and works in the old city of Delhi.
• "Three Women and a Camera", by Sabeena Gadihok - films the lives of Homai Vyarawalla, Sheba Chhachi, Dayanita Singh and reveals their perspectives on photography.
• "Gulabi Aaina", by Sridhar Rangayan - a colourful, funny look into the Indian homosexual closet.
• "Turning Points of History. Cloud of Death" - a film on the Bhopal Gas Tragedy of 1984.
• "Bhopal Express", by Mahesh Mathai - a commercially produced film on the Bhopal disaster, screened in partnership with the International Campaign for Justice in Bhopal.
• "Words on Water", by Sanjay Kak - a journey through the Narmada valley, whose people have for more than 15 years resisted a series of massive dams on their river, and in their struggle have exposed "the deceptive heart of India's development politics."
• "Naga Story" - The Other Side of Silence", by Gopal Menon - examines the Nagas, a 3-million strong indigenous people who occupy the North-East frontier of the Indian subcontinent.
• "Shadows of Freedom", by Sabina Kidwai - traces the history of 3 women in a Muslim family in India and explores how the issues of identity and gender cause conflict within their own lives and among their family members.
• "Born to Sing", by Shikha Jhingan - a musical journey with 4 Mirasans who sing life-cycle songs for their patrons in Punjab. The film explores a rich musical and oral tradition kept alive by these women across religious boundaries.

Health, Education, Environment, Violence, Human Rights, Gender.

The KRITI Film Club subsists on people's contribution and through borrowed home equipment. "We enjoy running this film club and look forward to expanding its outreach for filmmakers, photographers and viewers."