Shuddhi is a documentary hybrid film which explores the emotional aspects of Hansen's Disease (leprosy) by portraying genuine stories and conversations with patients in India.
| Shuddhi | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | James Higginson |
| Written by | James Higginson |
| Produced by | James Higginson |
| Starring |
|
| Edited by |
|
| Music by | Roland Hackl |
Production companies | Allaluce, Berlin |
| Country | India |
| Language | Hindi |
It offers a contemplative depiction of a family bond between grandfather (Baba) and grandson (Dittu) with cultural reverence, set against India’s rivers (Ganges, Beas, and Yamuna), scenic landscapes, and one of the country's remaining hospitals dedicated to the disease.[1]
Background
editIn 2012, James Higginson embarked on a photography assignment at Nimba Nimbadi Hospital in Jodhpur, where he encountered the stark realities faced by Leprosy patients. The lack of awareness and persevering stigma surrounding the disease motivated him to create a film that goes beyond conventional storytelling, aiming to give voice to the stories and history of these patients in an auteur-documentary form.[2][3][4][5]
Social Relevance
editShuddhi strives to foster conversations and highlight the importance of support programs, aiming to break down the social stigma that hampers the expansion of the free testing and treatment efforts.
Higginson sees Shuddhi as a means to promote understanding, inclusion, and more positive attitudes toward Leprosy. By advocating for early detection tests, the MDT medication program, and preventive measures supported by government and non-profit organizations, leprosy can be rendered inconsequential.[2][3][4][5]
SHUDDHI can be embraced to increase sensitivity and serve to improve public understanding of disabilities. SHUDDHI is an emotional journey, a call to action, and a symbol of hope all in one. I choose to tell stories that touch my heart, and then hopefully, in turn, touch the hearts of the audience.
— James Higginson, Times of India [6]
The impact campaign of Shuddhi has received letters of support from NLR International (Until No Leprosy Remains),[7] NLR India Foundation,[8] NHR Brazil,[9] Raoul Follereau Foundation France,[10] DAHW Deutsche Lepra- und Tuberkulosehilfe e. V.,[11] and INFOLEP.[12]
Awards
edit| Award | Year | Category | Prize | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cine Paris Film Festival | 2023 | Short Documentary | Best Director | Won |
| Cine Paris Film Festival | 2023 | Best Cinematography | Won | |
| Indie Fest Awards | 2023 | Special Mention – Short Doc | Award of Excellence | Won |
| Indie Fest Awards | 2023 | Cinematography | Award of Excellence | Won |
| Rajasthan International Film Festival, RIFF | 2024 | Official Selection: Word Premiere | Yes | |
| Rajasthan International Film Festival, RIFF | 2024 | Best International Short Film | Won | |
| Jaipur International Film Festival, JIFF | 2024 | Official Selection | Yes | |
| Jaipur International Film Festival, JIFF | 2024 | Short Documentary | Special Mention Jury Award | Won |
| Nice International Film Festival | 2024 | Official Selection: European Premiere | Yes | |
| Nice International Film Festival | 2024 | Best Foreign Language Film | Nominated | |
| Nice International Film Festival | 2024 | Foreign Language Film | Best Director | Won |
| Nice International Film Festival | 2024 | Documentary Film | Best Editing | Nominated |
| Nice International Film Festival | 2024 | Science Award | Nominated | |
| Indie Fest Awards | 2024 | 2023 Humanitarian Award | Outstanding Achievement | Won |
| Madrid International Film Festival | 2024 | Official Selection | Yes |
References
edit- ^ "SHUDDHI". SHUDDHI. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
- ^ a b NDTV (12 January 2024). Emmy-Winning Director James Higginson On His Documentary Shuddhi. Retrieved 23 May 2024 – via YouTube.
- ^ a b DD News (27 January 2024). Special Programme: सिनेमा की दुनिया. Retrieved 23 May 2024 – via YouTube.
- ^ a b Nanda, Vinta (13 February 2024). "Alternative Entertainment: Between Reality and Representation". Retrieved 22 May 2024.
- ^ a b "Press Trust Of India". www.ptinews.com. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
- ^ "American Emmy Award winner James Higginson: SHUDDHI is an emotional journey and a symbol of hope". The Times of India. 15 January 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
- ^ "A world free of leprosy and its consequences | NLR - until No Leprosy Remains". NLR | until No Leprosy Remains. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
- ^ "NLR India Foundation – until No Leprosy Remains". nlrindia.org. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
- ^ Brasil, N. H. R. "NHR Brasil". NHR Brasil (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 21 May 2024.
- ^ "Accueil". Fondation Raoul Follereau (in French). Retrieved 21 May 2024.
- ^ "www.dahw.de". dahw.de. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
- ^ "International knowledge center for information resources on leprosy | Infolep". www.leprosy-information.org. Retrieved 21 May 2024.