Made by a team of distinguished filmmakers/anthropologists,
Seed and Earth is a film about everyday life in rural West Bengal, India. It follows the daily schedule of the families of two brothers who live side by side and cooperate in many daily activities. We see how gender and age determine work, ritual and leisure activities.
Janta is a prosperous, multicaste village that derives its livelihood from agriculture. Rice, the main crop, is cultivated in small plots. The working day starts early with men ploughing and women beginning preparations for cooking. The ritual cycle of the village moves from brief daily prayers to big village-wide celebrations lasting several days. Seasonal worship of the gods and numerous life cycle rituals complete the sacred year. Eating, washing, gossiping, visiting — the fabric of daily life is captured eloquently on film with no intrusive narration.
This DVD features a secondary audio track containing ethnographic notes written & spoken by Lina & Ákos over relevant sequences.
SELECTED SCREENINGS & AWARDS
Honorable Mention, Society of Visual Anthropology Film and Video Festival, Washington, 1995
award of merit, Sinking Creek Film and Video Festival, 1996
Director's Choice, Black Maria Film Festival, 1996
Prix Planet Cable, Bilan du Film Ethnographique, Paris, 1996
Best of Festival, Windy City International Documentary film Festival, Chicago, 1996
Director's Choice Award, Black Maria Film and Video Festival, 1996
Finalist, National Short Film and Video Competition, USA Film Festival, Dallas, 1996
Bronze Apple Award, National Educational Media Network Competition, 1996