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This is an archive article published on April 14, 2009

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For those who relax by watching non-mainstream cinema,here comes the big show.

South Asian concerns come alive in the second edition of Persistence Resistance film festival

For those who relax by watching non-mainstream cinema,here comes the big show. Film festival Persistence Resistance,organised by Delhi-based distributors Magic Lantern Foundation,will screen 200 films,including documentaries.

The highlight of the festival is contemporary South Asian cinema which,organiser Gargi Sen says,“reflects a common concern for resistance to marginalisation and alienation”. Sri Lanka’s civil war comes alive in Prasanna Vithanage’s movie Death on a Full Moon Night about a father who refuses compensation money because he’s sure his soldier son is still alive; while in We Corner People,Kesang Tseten of Nepal shows how important a new bridge is to villagers in the remote Rasuwa district where children walk four hours to attend a three-room school. My Migrant Soul by Bangladeshi filmmaker Yasmine Kabir is a tragic story of a young migrant,and in Nusrat Has Left The Building,But When? filmmaker Farjad Nabi goes to the roots of singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.

Among the new names in the festival is Delhi-based filmmaker Pankaj Butalia,whose lineup begins with his 1989 film When Hamlet Came to Mizoram about the popularity of Shakespeare in the state’s tribal belt and continues with his latest Manipur Song. “It looks at the consequences of violence on ordinary people,” says Butalia about the 2008 film.

“There is a new element this year. We felt that the history of the documentary film movement in India was being forgotten. The section ‘Hidden History of the Documentary’ contains some rarely seen films of S. Sukhdev (India ‘67 and And Miles To Go),Pramod Pati (Multiple Perspective and Explorer) and SNS Shastri (I Am Twenty) from the Films Division archives,” says Sen.

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

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