Chinook Film Group

WATER

On Wednesday, February 15, The Chinook Film Group is once again bringing to the community another opportunity to view an outstanding film, chosen this past year for the opening Galas of the Toronto International Film Festival and the Calgary Film
Festival!

WATER examines the plight of a group of widows forced into poverty at a temple in the holy city of Varanasi in India. It focuses on a relationship between one of the widows and a man from a lower caste and a follower of Mahatma Gandhi. This inter-caste relationship touches at the core of Hindu fundamentalist ideology.

Mehta at first gained both national and state government approval in India for the filming of WATER but extremist forces claimed the film besmirches India and is part of an organized plot by the Christian Church against Hinduism. Violent demonstrations followed resulting in the destruction of the set and accusations of disloyalty and religious discrimination were aimed at the producer and film maker.

Deepa Mehta, a Hindu /Canadian displayed enormous persistence however and her deep commitment to finish filming WATER, the third of her elemental trilogy led her to a new location in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Tinu Ruparell, an Assistant Professor from the Department of Religious Studies at U of C who has researched the philosophy of religion focusing on the Hindu and Christian traditions will introduce this fascinating film.

The film begins at 7:00 p.m. at the Cochrane Movie House, a sponsor of the Chinook Film Group. After the movie everyone is invited to enjoy free coffee, tea and talk at Java Jamboree another key sponsor where buzz about the movie is welcomed!

Along with Pix & Stix Music, the Cochrane Public Library is also an important link and sponsor of the film group. Affectionately known as the ‘Nan’ the library is the lucky recipient of any profits realized by the Chinook Film Group. DVD copies of many of the outstanding Canadian and International films screened by the Group at the Cochrane Movie House are there for the public to borrow and enjoy!

The Chinook Film Group is one of 190 Film Circuit groups found across Canada especially in small cities and towns where there is a need for venues to screen these important films.

Partnership with the Toronto International Film Festival Group makes this opportunity possible. The TIFF is an organization dedicated to the promotion of Canadian and international films and provides Film Circuit groups full organizational support and access to films from all over world.

Suzanne Lorinczi