Screening of DREAMING TAJ MAHAL

[Delhi Film Archive [DFA]]

Dear All
 
This is to let you know that DREAMING TAJ MAHAL is being screened at 6.30pm in the Main Auditorium at India International Centre on Monday, May 2, 2011.
 
I am attaching a synopsis of the film for your information. It is also pasted below as text.

The film will be followed by a discussion with the film maker, Nirmal Chander Dandriyal.
 
It would be great if you could come... and if you could also circulate this mail to family, friends and colleagues.
 
Many thanks.
Reena

DREAMING TAJ MAHAL
Produced & Directed by NIRMAL CHANDER (2010, 51 mins)
SYNOPSIS
Haidar, a taxi driver, dreams of going to India to see the Taj Mahal. The choice doesn’t seem strange for a man who believes that “Love is everything”. The only problem is he lives in Pakistan!
Why is Haidar's dream so impossible to achieve? Is it because he is a Pakistani, a Muslim, seen by the Indian government as a potential spy or a terrorist? Or is it because he is a common man with no strings to pull?
India and Pakistan have a long-standing relationship of suspicion and hostility. They have been to war four times and continuing terrorist attacks in India make Haidar’s quest for a visa look almost impossible.
To see how Haidar's dream can be given a voice, and what it means for all of us, I travel from India to Pakistan.
Haidar's solution for peace is simple. If ordinary citizens of both countries are allowed to interact with each other, they will realise not only are they historically and culturally close but they also have similar problems - from potholed roads to corrupt politicians.
But can his dream come true?
FESTIVALS :
Taiwan International Documentary Film Festival, 2010
SIGNS, Trivandrum, 2011
Worldfilm 2011 – Tartu Festival of Visual Culture, 2011
Tiburon International Film Festival, 2011
Al Jazeera International Documentary Film Festival, 2011