Highlights from the Festival of the Dhow Countries
By Associated Press
An Indian film based on the true story of a low-caste woman who was gang-raped for criticizing child marriages won the best feature film award at Zanzibar’s Festival of the Dhow Countries last Saturday.
In Sandstorm, directed by Jag Mohan, the heroine seeks justice against the group of upper caste men who raped her, confronting sexism and political opportunism in the Indian judiciary.
The annual festival is named for dhows, wooden oceangoing vessels that for centuries have brought together people and cultures on the rim of the Indian Ocean.
The runner-up in the feature category went to an Iranian film, Whispers, about three young siblings roaming the streets of Tehran.
The winner of the Golden Dhow award in the short feature category was One Evening In July, a Tunisian film about a beautician who prepares young women for their weddings. The silver award went to Father, an Ethiopian film directed by Ermias Woldeamlak.
At least 100 films were screened and judged during the 14-day festival, which also included music and theater.
A lifetime achievement award for music went to Remmy Ongala, a Tanzanian of Congolese origin. Haji Gora Haji, a Zanzibari, won a Golden Dhow for lifetime achievement in poetry. |
