Watch Drowned Out

Drowned Out is a 2002 documentary directed by Franny Armstrong that depicts the struggle of a family in a remote village of central India, who are threatened with displacement by the Narmada Dam project, one of the world's biggest dams. The movie is a poignant portrayal of one family's quiet resistance to a massive development project that threatens their way of life.

The film's protagonist is Bulgi, a young girl living in a small village in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Her family is one of many that will be displaced by the construction of the massive Narmada dam, which will flood their homes and farms. The villagers are promised compensation for their losses and resettlement in new homes, but Bulgi's family, like many others, has not received adequate compensation and is being forcibly evicted from their land.

The documentary follows Bulgi's family as they struggle to hold on to their land and resist eviction, even as the waters of the dam begin to rise. The family's fight is spearheaded by Bulgi's father, Luhariya, who is determined to protect his family and his way of life.

The film is shot through the eyes of Arundhati Roy, an acclaimed Indian author and political activist. Roy's presence in the film provides a voice of authority, as she exposes the unscrupulous tactics of the Indian government in pushing through the project despite widespread protests by the people who will be affected.

As the dam project nears completion, tensions rise in the village, with police brutality and intimidation becoming commonplace. The villagers organize peaceful protests, but these are met with violence and arrests by the police. The film depicts the stark contrast between the power of the government and the helplessness of the villagers, who seem to be fighting a losing battle.

The movie also highlights the vital role played by women in the struggle for their rights. Bulgi's mother, for instance, keeps the family together despite the odds and supports her husband in his fight against the government. Other women in the village, too, play an instrumental role in organizing protests and supporting the cause of the villagers.

The visuals in Drowned Out are stunning and captivating, capturing the beauty of the rural Indian landscape and the lives of its inhabitants. The music by Nitin Sawhney adds an extra layer of emotion to the story, making it a powerful and poignant watch.

Overall, Drowned Out is a powerful and moving film that documents the plight of the displaced villagers in central India, who are struggling to retain their way of life in the face of a massive development project. It is a vivid reminder of the importance of solidarity and the power of ordinary people to stand and fight against injustice.