"Widow Colony" film screening: DC APA Film Festival October 1, 2006

2006 DC Asian Pacific American Film Festival
www.apafilm.org

"The Widow Colony"
Documentary Feature
Director: Harpreet Kaur
73 min; English, Punjabi w/ English subtitles

Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
Sunday, Oct 1, 3:00 PM
FREE

In 1984, Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her bodyguards, a tragedy which set off an unimaginable turn of events as anti-Sikh sentiment boiled over into the streets. A rash of violence spread across the country, leaving thousands of Sikhs dead and many more homeless.

In this well thought out documentary, the aftermath of a horrific turn of events that happened decades ago is still evident in the settlements inhabited by the widows and families of the some 4000 Sikh men that died. Living together in relatively poor conditions, this film showcases the brave women of the Vidhva Colony (“Widow Colony”) in New Delhi, who are seeking answers and reparations from the Indian government, which has yet to acknowledge the state-sanctioning of the violence from 11 investigations in over 21 years. Director Harpreet Kaur offers a powerful film that succeeds at portraying the strength of the women and their dedication as they struggle for their voices to be heard and receive justice for their families.

Official Website: http://www.apafilm.org/2006/program_details.php?id=11