Under Construction - Film Details

The Mundapotas, as a nomadic group in South Orissa, survive by collecting honey, capturing animals like snakes, porcupines, comondo-dragons and rats, which are a menace to the granaries. Another source of their livelihood is the rustic road show called Mundapota, which thrills as well as entertains the village audience. The most thrilling item of the performance is when a performer buries his head under the ground.

'Breathing Without Air' is the tale of a father-son duo of this community. The son buries his head while his father accompanies the show by beating the drum.

What happens in the darkness that engulfs him in the pit? How does he survive the ordeal? Does he dream or fantasize? If so, what?

While the film attempts to answer these questions, it also turns into a metaphor for soul killing deprivation of working children in India.

Subject: Childhood, Education, Ethnography, Journey, Livelihoods

Awards and Screenings

Winner of:
Best Short Film at the Festival du Cinema de Paris, 2004;
Jury's Special Mention at the New York Short Film Festival, 2004;

Also participated in:
Commonwealth Film Festival, Manchester, 2004;
Honolulu International Film Festival, 2004;
Jeevika - National Livelihood Documentary Festival, New Delhi, 2004;
MI.Doc Festival, Capbreton, France, 2005;

Producer

Vidhi Infotainment

Creative Crew

Camera: Prasantanu Mohapatra / Editor: Ravi Patnaik / Asst Editor: Ajaya Mishra / Choreography: Barabara Curda / Music: Aditya Mohapatra

Territory: INDIA

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