"I am waiting..a Half-widows of the Kashmir."

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Request for help to organize the screening and distribution of this

film-on the based of the the half-Widows of the Kashmir.

We have captured the face of journey of suffering of every half-widow

of the Kashmir at the Various points of time during last five

years.These

are the real testimony of the armed Conflict..

Title

"I am waiting..a Half-widows of the Kashmir."

Synopsis:

This is a story of missing people, boys and men who were picked up by

security forces and then simply disappeared.The location is Kashmir.

Sandwiched between India and Pakistan, Kashmir is a battleground for

both. Since the men are missing, not declared dead their wives are not

widows but 'half widows.' The 'half widows' need extraordinary courage

in living. Personally they live with the memories of their love.They

have to suddenly switch from being the woman in the veil at home to a

bread-earner. Face society who treats them as unattached property as

it treats most single woman in India. The women and children tell

their own stories. Their dreams, fears, aspirations and the hardships.

Their faces reflect their tension. As the years have gone by, many

have learnt to live with their hopes and aspirations while some are

still caught in conflicts with their in-laws, the state, religion and

day-to-day livelihood.

Their psychiatric problems add to the statistic that Kashmir has the

highest number of psychotic patients in the world.These women are

true survivorsof a cruel period in the history of this 'paradise on

earth'.The security forces stand by their version of events, but

staged shootouts,say human rights groups,are commonplace.The first

result of a society living in the midst of war is a sharp increase in

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PSDT) patients. Many studies about

this are going on.They are targeting women in general and generating

paper reports,which people read and forget.These women have not only

lost their support but are also being marginalized and have no status

left in society.

Another day of agony begins for the people of Kashmir.

Director: Shabnam Ara and Sushil Kumar

Produced by: Shabnam Ara and Sushil Kumar.

Writer: Sushil Kumar

Language: Kashmiri

Language Sub Title: English

Duration: 39.25 mins. DV.

Rights Available: All, Worldwide.

Screenings: Any period and any place.

Please let me know whether you will be interested in acquiring a copy of the film for

your institution/ library. I'd be very grateful if you could forward information

aboutthe film to your colleagues and friends, especially those Teaching at

Universities orworking with institutions/NGOs,asking them to support the film by buying copies.

Comments

The posting titled Iam waiting...a half-widow of the Kashmir is based on stolen materials. Please do remove it from your pages. This film is a copy of the film titled waiting... directed by Shabnam Ara and Atul Gupta and produced by Delhi Biscope Company Pvt. Ltd. Sushil Kumar, a researcher in the film stole the tapes which included a rough cut master. There is an FIR registered against Mr Sushil Kumar in this matter in the Saket Police Post. This Public Notice was printed on 30th Aug. 2005 in the Dainik Jagran and on 31st Aug. 05 in the Dainik Kashmir times. I am reproducing the text of the notice: Public Notice This is to inform the general public that one box containing the following material has been stolen from our studio/office. Approx. 50 mini DV tapes which have footage pertaining to a documentary film related to physiological effects of conflict on women and missing people in Kashmir. In this regard a complaint has been filed with the Saket Police Post on Aug. 6, 2005 in which Mr. Sushil Kumar has been named as the accused. The general public is warned that said Mr. Sushil Kumar or anybody else claiming any right, title or interest in the above said tapes should be patently false. Any person dealing with Mr. Sushil Kumar in respect of the above tapes shall do so at his own risk. Signed Atul Gupta Director, Delhi Biscope Company Pvt. Ltd. The final film is titled 'waiting…' and is copyright, 2005 by Delhi Biscope Company Pvt. Ltd. Any screening of the stolen materials is illegal. I am reproducing below a email from Ms. Shabnam Ara who is also horrified by this act of Sushil Kumar. In case you need any further clarification please do not hesitate in contacting me on my cell phone 09818031919 or by email. Atul Gupta ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Shabnam Ara < arashabnam@hotmail.com> Date: Mar 3, 2006 5:09 PM Subject: Re: waiting... a renewed partnership To: 2biscope@gmail.com Dear Atul, I was shocked to learn from you that Mr. Sushil Kumar is claiming to be the Writer, Producer and Director of our film on the half widows of Kashmir. I condemn the false claim of Mr. Sushil Kumar who is apparently misusing the original film footage stolen from your studio. He is using my name without my consent and I whole heartedly agree that strong action should be taken against him. Regards. Shabnam Ara _________________________________________________________________ How good are you in a Formula One car? Play now http://server1.msn.co.in/sp05/tataracing/onlinegame.asp -- Atul Gupta Delhi Biscope Company Pvt. Ltd. +919818031919, 9111-41765919 2biscope@gmail.com, atul2242@yahoo.com