It was a truly enriching experience to participate in the Social Justice Festival 2025, held on the 13th and 14th of April, and curated by the eminent documentary filmmaker, Mr.Amudhan R.P.
The festival presented a powerful lineup of thought-provoking documentaries that explored themes of environmental justice, gender identity, migration, caste, and human rights across different parts of the world. I attended two days.
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Day 2 – April 13, 2025
(at Discovery Book Palace)
The first documentary I viewed was ‘When Pomegranate Turns Grey’ followed by ‘Seed Stories’. These films delved into the consequences of the Green Revolution on Indian agriculture, shedding light on the drastic reduction in indigenous breeds from 1,10,000 to just 6,000 in seed bank – due to the use of herbicides and chemical application. The documentaries emphasized the health hazards of chemical exposure and advocated the preservation of seed banks and the revival of traditional agro ecological practices.
The third film, ‘Manju’, portrayed the life of a transwoman who migrated from India to Sri Lanka. It was a deeply moving narrative that highlighted her artistic journey, personal struggles, and the abuses she endured.
‘On Hold’, another poignant documentary, followed the story of an African refugee in the Netherlands who, due to a lack of proper travel documents, was left in limbo for 17 years. The film powerfully captured the trauma and psychological toll of prolonged statelessness.
‘Dindigul Diaries’ directed by Annet Danto, chronicled the lives of four individuals in rural Tamil Nadu over a span of two decades (2001-2023). The film provided insight into local culture, political dynamics, poverty, education, and alcoholism, offering a nuanced perspective on rural life. Another impactful documentary depicted a protest in South America against the privatization of a river by a business tycoon. The film illustrated the community’s resistance and struggle to reclaim the lake from a corrupt corporation. To fully grasp the context, the historical background of the Argentina-England war was briefly explored.
Day 3 – April 14, 2025 (at Periyar Thidal)
The second day commenced with ‘Hues and Blues’, a documentary about India’s first queer camp. Through this film, I was introduced to the ancient Greek poet Sappho from the Island of Lesbos, a significant figure, in LGBTQ + history.
‘Cry to be Heard’ focused on the plight of Rohingya refugees, narrating stories of war survival and life within refugee camps, and underscoring the urgency of humanitarian aid and global attention.
The documentary ‘Ladeej’ centered around menstrual health awareness among students, breaking taboos and emphasizing the need for education on menstruation.
Finally, ‘One Side of the Road’ tackled the sensitive issue of caste discrimination. It presented the experiences of four individuals from a village near Pondicherry, reflecting the deep rooted caste dynamics, still prevalent in rural India.
Overall, I gained many information through the film and they were thought provoking and inspiring ones.
