Fandry

Channel 4's Indian Film Season continues with the first of five movies celebrating the country's vibrant Marathi-language cinema. Fandry is a moving and hard-hitting drama from first-time writer-director Nagraj Manjule, who introduces this screening. Set in contemporary times, the narrative tells the story of teenager Jabya and his family, who are Dalits (members of the lowest, 'Untouchable' caste) living in a village in Maharashtra. Deeply embarrassed that his father looks after the village pigs and does all the work deemed 'dirty' by the other villagers, Jabya escapes into a dream world. He believes that if he catches the mythical Black Sparrow, his pretty, and wealthier, classmate Shalu, who belongs to a higher caste, will return his affections. But everything goes terribly wrong, as Jabya discovers his dreams have no power against age-old prejudices and caste divisions. The director based the story on his own life, and believes the predicament in rural India for Dalits is much the same today as it ever was. Also starring Chhaya Kadam, Nagraj Manjule and Suraj Pawar. In Hindi and Marathi with English subtitles.