RE: “HALF-WIDOWS of Kashmir”-Document

Title:

“HALF-WIDOWS”

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.'<>

Production

Independent

39.25 mins. DV. Documentary. November 2005 (Completed). Language: Kashmiri. Language Sub Title: English

Rights Available:

All, Worldwide

Producer:

Sushil Kumar

Director:

Sushil Kumar

Writer:

Sushil Kumar

Cast:

Documentary

More info:

None.

Target Audience:

General

General:

The first time I came across this term Half-Widows was about six years ago, after the completed the story about shelling affected villagers, when I was returning from Uri, Line of Control, Northern Kashmir to Srinagar, in a public vehicle. I met Ms. Parveena Ahangar, who was Searching her dear son Javed Ahangar in a public vehicle. After some interactions, Parveena explained about her son, who was picked up by Indian security forces at that unfortunate night, from her residence, Dhobhi Mohalla, Batmaloo, Sringar. She invited me to join a meeting of other victimized people at her residence. When I went to her residence, among the crowd - a weeping woman Shameema asked me, neither woman nor widow, where is my husband?  Tell me- he is dead or alive - my status, who am i?  Accidentally my mind clicked a word –Half widow. I found not only one, two or three Shammema but a society emerged as half-widows in Kashmir. I was moved by the plight of these proud women. Since then we shot ten times in Kashmir.                                                                                                                       Sometimes situations were grim. I was threatened and pushed around by the military. Faced hostile and emotionally disturbed crowds and always had no budget. I finished the film entirely with internal funds. The film was shot in DVCAM in 10 shooting stints, which spread over a period of 4 years. In total it has taken us nearly four years to finish it.

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. 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 survivors of a cruel period in the history of this 'paradise on earth'. The first result of a society living in the midst of war is a sharp increase in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PSDT) patients These women have not only lost their support but are also being marginalized and have no status left in society.

Duration: 39.25 mins. DVCAM Documentary Issues: Gender, Human rights, Conflict and society

You  can watch the Trailer

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual &videoid=1309215381

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual &videoid=1306912129

WHEN PAKISTAN WON THE CRICKET MATCH-LAST CONVERSATION

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual &videoid=1724200357

I AM CONVINCED -HE IS NO MORE........SAFIQA

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual &videoid=1724247074

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