Anhe Ghore Da Daan (Eng: Alms in the Name of a Blind Horse) is a Punjabi film directed by Gurvinder Singh, based on the 1976 novel of the same name by Gurdial Singh.[1] Both the novel and the movie derive their title from an ancient myth associated with the churning of the ocean, in which Vishnu had been less than fair in his dispensation to the Asuras, supposedly the progenitors of latter-day Dalits. The movie portrays the plight and problems of Dalit farmers in Punjab and their conflict with the upper caste landlords. The film won National Awards for Best Direction, Cinematography and Best Feature Film in Punjabi at the 59th National Film Awards of India.
| Anhe Ghore Da Daan | |
|---|---|
 Film poster | |
| Directed by | Gurvinder Singh |
| Written by | Gurdial Singh |
| Based on | Anhe Ghore Da Daan by Gurdial Singh |
| Produced by | National Film Development Corporation of India |
| Starring | Samuel John Kul Sidhu Gurpreet Bhangu |
| Cinematography | Satya Rai Nagpaul |
| Edited by | Ujjwal Chandra |
| Music by | Catherine Lamb |
Release date |
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| Country | India |
| Language | Punjabi |
The film was shot in and around Bathinda in February and March of 2011.
Plot
editThe film is set in a village on the outskirts of Bathinda City, where the Dalit villagers work in the fields of the local landlord. It is a village where Dalit people are trying hard to make peace with their existence. Daily rituals betray their simmering anger and their helplessness. The landlord has sold his plots to an industry that has demolished the house of one of the villagers who refuses to vacate it. The elderly farmer's son is a rickshaw puller in the nearby town. The rickshaw pullers have gone on a strike that has turned violent. Both father and son are equally clueless about their futures.[2]
Cast
edit
- Samuel John as Melu, the rickshaw puller
- Mal Singh as Father
- Sarbjeet Kaur as Dayalo
- Emmanuel Singh as Bhupi
- Kulvinder Kaur as Ballo, Melu's wife
- Lakha Singh as Lakha
- Gurvinder Makhna as Dulla
- Dharminder Kaur as Mother
Awards
editAnhe Ghore Da Daan is the first Punjabi-language film to have traveled to numerous international film festivals. The film premiered in the Orizzonti section (Horizons) at the 68th Venice International Film Festival. It won the Special Jury Award and the $50,000 Black Pearl trophy at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival. It was also shown at the 55th BFI London Film Festival, 49th New York Film Festival and the 16th Busan International Film Festival.[3] The film won the National Awards for Best Direction and Cinematography (for cinematographer Satya Raj Nagpaul) at the 59th National Film Awards of India. In the regional category (Punjabi language), it was given another award for best film at the 59th National Film Awards.[4] This film has also won the Golden Peacock (Best Film) at the 42nd International Film Festival of India.[5]
References
edit- ^ Smith, Ian Hayden (2012). International Film Guide 2012. p. 141. ISBN 978-1908215017.
- ^ Choudhury, Bedatri D. (2 June 2020). "A Dark Horse Called Hope: Close-Up on Gurvinder Singh's "Alms for a Blind Horse"". Mubi. Archived from the original on 6 August 2024. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
- ^ Jatinder Preet (2 October 2011). "Punjabi Film Making Waves at International Film Festivals". The Sunday Guardian. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
- ^ Aruti Nayar (12 February 2012). "Call of the land". The Tribune. Archived from the original on 30 July 2012. Retrieved 9 March 2012.
- ^ "Punjabi film Anhey Ghore Da Daan wins the best Punjabi film award at IFFI". Dainik Bhaskar. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015.