Film Lens
Drowned Out is a documentary that follows the villagers of Jalsindhi, a community in Madhya Pradesh, as they resist the Sardar Sarovar Project, which threatens to submerge their homes and village. The film centers on Luharia Sonkaria, the village's medicine man, who represents the generational ties to the land and culture that the dam project jeopardizes. The government offers inadequate compensation, such as unusable land far from the river, which fuels the villagers' determination to fight back.
The documentary captures significant events, including hunger strikes and rallies, as well as a six-year Supreme Court case. It also features activist Arundhati Roy, who brings international attention to the villagers' plight. The film was shot over three years, with the director Franny Armstrong often living among the villagers to gain their trust and document their experiences candidly.
Why Watch
- •See Luharia Sonkaria's fight for his village.
- •Find out how the government responded to villagers' protests.
- •Meet Arundhati Roy and learn about her activism.
Did You Know
•Luharia Sonkaria is the medicine man in Jalsindhi, a role passed down for generations.
•The government offered villagers unusable land a hundred miles away as compensation.
•Franny Armstrong shot 80% of the film herself over three years.
•In August 2003, about 120 villagers attended the film screening in Jalsindhi.
•Drowned Out was released on DVD in 2004 and is available for streaming.
Perfect For
Environmental activismIndian historyDocumentary filmmaking