Behind Veils(2023)
When the US-raised girl from India, Ana, attempts to start a Library in her ancestral hometown in central India, her commendable intentions ignite a storm in the village's politics and bureaucracy. Her journey, in absurd and satirical ways, unveils how books can be seen as dangerous for a prevailing system in India. Ana then stands for the Village Council elections to deal with this impasse and she encounters further absurdity in the political and social systems.
Quick Facts
- Streaming on
- Theatrical Release
- 14 April 2023
- Director
- Praveen Morchhale
- Language
- Hindi
- Runtime
- 1h 44m
Storyline
An American-raised woman returns to her family's village in India to open a library. Her simple plan causes major conflict with local officials, who see books as a threat. To overcome the obstacles, she decides to run for a seat on the village council, leading to more absurd and satirical encounters with the system.
“When books threaten power, one woman runs for office.”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Where to Watch
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Vibe & Tags
Cast & Crew
Trivia
- The film was shot entirely on location in a small village in Madhya Pradesh, using many local non-actors to add authenticity.
- Director Praveen Morchhale is known for minimalist, socially-conscious films, making this a rare venture into satire for him.
- The movie subtly references real-life incidents in India where books and libraries have faced opposition from authorities.
- It had a very limited theatrical release, focusing instead on film festival circuits and select streaming platforms.
- The lead actress, playing Ana, had to learn basic Bundeli dialect to interact with the local cast convincingly.
- Many props, including the books in the library scenes, were donated by actual village schools after filming.
- The script was inspired by various news reports about educational barriers in rural India, blended with absurdist humor.