Reborn India presents Manthan

This potent, political landmark of Indian independent filmmaking – famously funded by 500,000 farmers – explores the ugly truths of class and caste in rural Gujarat.

Produced by 500,000 farmers who contributed 2 ruppes each towards the making of the film, Manthan (The Churning) is a powerful film about the tempestuous winds of change that blow through a village when an idealistic veterinary surgeon from the city arrives in the village to start a milk cooperative movement. His notions of equitable distribution of profits irrespective of class and caste and freedom from exploitative middlemen, churn up a maelstrom of mistrust, anger and resistance among the feudal landlords and the peasants, threatening the deep-rooted social hierarchy based on generations of discrimination. The story plumbs the depths of despair as Dr. Rao faces false accusations and village politics, but ends on a high with a glimmering of change as the idea of the cooperative slowly takes root.

Nearly 50 years after it was made, a pristinely restored Manthan received a red-carpet world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival last year.

Screening as part of our SAHM film season