The Backward Class is a 2014 Canadian documentary film directed by Madeleine Grant. The film follows the success of a group of ethnically disadvantaged students near Bangalore, India, in taking high-school graduation exams.[1] The film, created by a group of graduates of the University of British Columbia,[2] premiered at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival in May 2014 and won the Audience Favourite award.[3]

The Backward Class
Directed byMadeleine Grant
StarringMala Muniswamy
Production
company
Affinity Films
Release date
Running time
91 minutes
CountryCanada
LanguagesEnglish, Tamil (with English subtitles)

The 91-minute documentary was shot inside the Shanti Bhavan school,[4] by Affinity Films.[5] Grant lived and worked at the school while making the film.[6] The dialogue is partly in English and partly in Tamil with English subtitles.[7]

The film was later screened in Toronto, received positive reviews from Now Magazine[8] and The Globe and Mail.[9]

One of the stars of the film, Mala Muniswamy, travelled from India to attend the film's premiere.[10]

Reception

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Alex Hutt of Canadian Film Review mentioned that "The Backward Class is definitely a film to put down on your Hot Docs sched."[7]

References

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  1. ^ Eng, David. "2014 Hot Docs Audience Awards – winners". Retrieved 2024-04-28.
  2. ^ "The Backward Class follows first ever 'untouchable' Grade 12 students in India". CBC News, Sharon Lindores, CBC News Apr 10, 2015
  3. ^ Barnard, Linda (2014-05-05). "Canada's The Backward Class is Hot Docs audience favourite". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2024-04-28.
  4. ^ The Backward Class | Dork Shelf
  5. ^ "Hot Docs 2014 | The Backward Class – Schema Magazine". 2016-03-07. Archived from the original on 2016-03-07. Retrieved 2024-04-28.
  6. ^ Barnard, Linda (2015-02-05). "Director lived like student to make The Backward Class". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2024-04-28.
  7. ^ a b "Hot Docs 2014: The Backward Class". 2014-05-09. Archived from the original on 2014-05-09. Retrieved 2024-04-28.
  8. ^ "Review: The Backward Class - NOW Magazine". 2017-03-12. Archived from the original on 2017-03-12. Retrieved 2024-04-28.
  9. ^ "School? Not for 65 million girls". The Globe and Mail. 2014-05-05. Retrieved 2024-04-28.
  10. ^ Gee, Dana (7 December 2014). "Vancouver Filmmaker Reminds Us Education is the Key to Everything". The Province.
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