This is an archive article published on January 7, 2009
Eye to the rights
Anthony Gilmore documents a shameful episode of East Asian history which the world has chosen to ignore.
Written by Alaka SahaniJanuary 7, 2009 02:17 AM IST
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Tri Continental Film Festival brings to fore forgotten and forbidden tales of war and exploitation
Anthony Gilmore documents a shameful episode of East Asian history which the world has chosen to ignore. Under Imperial Japan,Korean women were coerced into systematic sexual slavery by Japans military force at comfort stations. After nearly six decades,Behind Forgotten Eye,a 76-minute documentary,compiles the harrowing experiences of the victims and remorseful accounts of Japanese soldiers. The motive: Make the world aware of the gruesome fall-out of war and conflict.
In the present conflict-riddled world,more attempts at spreading the lessons learnt from human right violations comes from Gini Retickers Pray the Devil Back to Hell (US),which records the resistance of Liberias women who successfully demanded the countrys warring parties find a path to peace,as well as Natalie Assoulines Brides of Allah (Israel) about Palestinian womens struggle to define their role.
These two documentaries dont directly talk about war,but focus on their consequences. There are others like White Light Black Rain and On that Day which talk about war crimes, says Alika Khosla,director of Tri Continental Film Festival. The Mumbai edition of the annual event,which made its Indian debut in 2004,will take off at the NCPA on January 23 after its New Delhi inauguration. Then,the festival with its bouquet of 28 films from more than 20 countries will travel to Goa,Bangalore and Kolkata for the next three weeks.
The festival,hosted by Breakthrough,an international human rights organisation,is a cross-continental event showcasing films dealing with human rights issues from Latin America,Africa and Asia,which together form global South and are part of the developing world. The festival is the perfect vehicle to introduce global human rights issues to the youth in India, said Khosla.
Talking about wars is just a part of the festivals agenda. It also explores tales of destitution,exploitation,apathy as well as internal turmoil of real people who are at the core of these films. The films are placed under four categories Body Public; Not All in Good Faith probes the exploitation rendered by neo-liberal development ventures; The Line that Defines deals with border-crossing and the issue of illegal immigrants and Zones of War.
The festival widens its reach by listing college campuses and small towns as their screening venues. Last year,it went to the North-East. That part has remained cut-off from the mainstream. Showing these films there are extremely essential, says Khosla.
Alaka Sahani is a prominent film critic and journalist based in Mumbai. With a career spanning over two decades, she has established herself as one of India’s most authoritative voices in cinematic journalism, known for an analytical approach and insights that transcend the standard cycle of celebrity journalism.
Expertise & Accolades
In 2014, Alaka was honoured with the National Film Award for Best Film Critic. Her Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) citation specifically lauded her for "highlighting facets of cinema beyond glamour and gossip" and for her ability to delve into the contemporary relevance of iconic filmmakers. Her commitment to journalistic integrity was further recognised in 2019 with a Special Mention at the Red Ink Awards for her investigative feature, 'In Search of a Star'. Her article titled 'People Like Us', published in The Indian Express on March 27, 2022, was shortlisted for Red Ink Award, 2023.
Global Industry Leadership
Alaka’s expertise is sought after by major international and domestic film bodies:
Golden Globes: In 2025, she joined the international voting body for the 83rd Annual Golden Globes.
National Film Awards: She served on the prestigious jury for the 68th National Film Awards, helping select the finest contributions to Indian cinema.
Global Perspective: Her work consistently bridges the gap between commercial Bollywood A-listers and emerging independent talents, offering nuanced insights into both Indian regional cinema and international film trends.
Focus & Vision
Beyond the screen, Alaka is a dedicated observer of Mumbai’s vibrant theatre scene and the historical evolution of the moving image. Through her long-form articles and deep-dive interviews, she continues to challenge "tried-and-tested" templates, providing readers with a deep understanding of the artistic and systemic workings of the Indian and global film industry. ... Read More
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