Kids Corner

Film/Stage

"Amu" DVD Released

 

If you missed it in the theatres, here's your chance to see this groundbreaking film on the 1984 massacre of Sikhs in Delhi. Writer-Director Shonali Bose's sensational feature debut, banned from television in India and censored by the Indian government, brings forth with clarity and humanity the terrible crimes perpetrated against the Sikh community by those in power in the "world's largest democracy".

Critically acclaimed at scores of international film festivals, including Toronto and Berlin; winner of ten awards including two Indian National awards - this is a DVD to own - with many special features including:

Director's commentary

Festival Q & A's

Making of Amu

Deleted scenes with commentary

Making of the filmmaker

Two 5.1 Dolby digital soundtracks: original and Hindi dub

Celebrity reactions

And more...

 

Says Shonali Bose, who worked in the relief camps in 1984: "We made this film so that the world would know about this crime against humanity, just as it does about Somalia, Rwanda, Iraq...."

Adds Producer Bedabrata Pain: "1984 is not about the past, but about the present ... because justice continues to be denied twenty-three years later, in spite of eleven enquiry commissions and a huge amount of evidence".

Bose and Pain hope that all freedom-loving people will support this extraordinary venture by buying this film not just for themselves but for their friends, as well  -  regardless of background  -  "who need to know this history, if India is to move forward".

 

SYNOPSIS

Kaju (Konkona Sensharma), a twenty-one-year-old American woman of Indian origin, is visiting India to get in touch with family and learn about her roots. But she is blocked at every turn when she begins asking simple questions about her past. Aided by Kabir, a young man who is deeply attracted to her and her quest, she embarks on an unstoppable journey to seek the truth. She soon learns that a genocide in the capital city from twenty years ago might hold the key to her mysterious origin.

With standout performances by National Award winner Konkona Sensharma and Brinda Karat, this film has been praised by critics and audiences alike in its theatrical releases to date in India, Canada and the United States.

 

SOME VOICES ON AMU

 

"Having lived through the experience, I can say this film is a MUST".

Khushwant Singh

 

"Brilliant and courageous. A must see".

Mira Nair (Director, The Namesake, Monsoon Wedding, Salaam Bombay)

 

"Most significant Indian film of recent years".

Z Magazine

 

"Amu combines an untold history with the magic of fiction in a chilling story that is all too familiar to Sikhs around the world. Bose's depiction has brought Sikh suffering to the global stage. The film is a reminder of the true meaning of Sikhi".

Neha Singh Gohil, sikhchic.com

 

"Hardhitting, incisive and entertaining".

Verve Magazine

 

"Powerful...a filmmaker to watch". (Critics Pick)

LA Weekly

 

"We owe it to the world to disseminate what really happened in 1984. The DVD will make a perfect Christmas gift for our friends and loved ones!"

Dr. Birinder Singh Ahluwalia, The Spinning Wheel Film Festival International

 

"Heartwrenching ... made more powerful by the fact that the Indian government tried very hard to suppress the story". (Critics Pick)

NY Magazine

 

"Boldly rips away a tapestry of lies and cover-ups ... a first-rate detective story".

Hollywood Reporter

 

"Amu is compelling, passionate and truthful; a world-class production. As a Sikh, you need to not only see it, but own this film, this critical piece of our history - that has been created and given to us by a non-Sikh".

Mirin Kaur, Kaur Foundation

 

"A bold and heartrending film, extremely well made and deeply moving. It's an important film, as it is very relevant to our times".

Aamir Khan, Actor

 

"As a Sikh-American, I was personally and profoundly affected by the film. It is a brave film, told in a beautiful way, bringing out the humanity behind the tragedy. It gave me strength, it made me weep, it made me want to shout out from the rooftops: Everyone, watch Amu!"

Geetanjali Dhillon

 

"I absolutely loved Amu. A thoughtful and important film with a universal theme. I was profoundly affected by it".

Deepa Mehta (Director, Water, Fire)

 

"Amu is 1984 immortalized. Every Sikh home should have this film".

Inni Kaur, Nishaan Magazine

 

"I really loved Amu. I think everyone should watch this film".

Hema Malini, Actress

 

The DVD can be obtained from www.AmuDVD.com

November 2, 2007 

Conversation about this article

1: Kulwant Kang (Oakville, Ontario, Canada), November 02, 2007, 10:01 AM.

I've kicked myself for missing this film in the theatre and have anxiously been waiting for the DVD. Where can I get a copy? [Editor: It can be obtained from www.AmuDVD.com]

2: Gursharn Singh Nagi (New Delhi, India), November 03, 2007, 3:26 PM.

At last! Thanks to Shonali Bose and her team ... this is something real and true. Great work.

3: Baljinder Kaur Mudahar (Washington DC, U.S.A.), November 03, 2007, 6:02 PM.

I'm so glad you're highlighting the great work done in Amu. Two other movies that have not received as much recognition in the theatre but are just as moving - Kavi Raz's The Golden Bracelet, and Sach Productions' The Widow Colony. These are all amazing works.

4: Sevadaar (Sydney), November 06, 2007, 7:51 PM.

I agree with Dr. Birinder Singh Ahluwalia's comment that the DVD will "make a perfect Christmas gift for our friends and loved ones!" We should buy it in bulk, save on the price ... and distribute it widely.

5: Deepinder (Delhi, India), March 13, 2008, 11:22 PM.

Who has released this DVD? Which brand/studio/distribution company?

6: Raj S. Parmar (Age 10) (Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada), March 26, 2008, 3:29 AM.

I loved this movie. It's really interesting. I hope everybody watches this movie. Sonali Bose has put a lot into it!

7: Deepinder (Delhi / India), August 10, 2008, 12:35 AM.

The DVD of "Amu" has been just released in India under the "Excel Home Videos" label. Excel is arguably the best DVD company in India. VCDs are also available.

8: Abhishek (Gurgaon, India), December 07, 2008, 5:55 PM.

I loved watching this movie. This was truely an eye opener and heart touching. The movie brings in a feeling of unision by giving due respect to the Hindus who helped Sikhs during the anti-Sikh pogroms. That is what is united India: the united common man and shameless politicians. The Mumbai incident is just another example.

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