Living in Dubai, being used to living in high-rise apartments and traveling at wind breaking speeds on the road, one forgets that these are all the results of actual physical labour.
This documentary puts a lot in perspective and reminds one of just how much everything is taken for granted.
The piece takes off beautifully with the labourers soul clenching voices singing a Bollywood number setting out the films deep seeded irony of how these men have traveled miles searching for life but their journey has brought them so close to death. When the labourers talk of death they don't always talk of the high risk jobs they engage in but of the death of their way of life.
The interviews show us that these men chose this life of free will and continue to stay of their own accord but their life's situation has them in a painful bind. At moments their silence speaks volumes.
The brilliance of the film lies in how cleverly it is routed through and centered on one of the happiest days of the camp's residents - 'Camp ka Champ' (Champ of the camp) - a musical festive Bollywood based competition. The momentary lapse of awareness of life's underdogs overwhelms the viewers when they see these men dance and sing with their eyes wide shut.
If you have a sensitive and humanitarian soul watch the movie without preconceptions,prejudice definitely without popcorn. Trust me, the guilt will find you.
If I had to criticise, I would say that the translations of the song are a little to literal.
The movie is a definite 'must watch'!
This documentary puts a lot in perspective and reminds one of just how much everything is taken for granted.
The piece takes off beautifully with the labourers soul clenching voices singing a Bollywood number setting out the films deep seeded irony of how these men have traveled miles searching for life but their journey has brought them so close to death. When the labourers talk of death they don't always talk of the high risk jobs they engage in but of the death of their way of life.
The interviews show us that these men chose this life of free will and continue to stay of their own accord but their life's situation has them in a painful bind. At moments their silence speaks volumes.
The brilliance of the film lies in how cleverly it is routed through and centered on one of the happiest days of the camp's residents - 'Camp ka Champ' (Champ of the camp) - a musical festive Bollywood based competition. The momentary lapse of awareness of life's underdogs overwhelms the viewers when they see these men dance and sing with their eyes wide shut.
If you have a sensitive and humanitarian soul watch the movie without preconceptions,prejudice definitely without popcorn. Trust me, the guilt will find you.
If I had to criticise, I would say that the translations of the song are a little to literal.
The movie is a definite 'must watch'!
