(2018) is a 72-minute documentary directed by Sandhya Suri that offers a kaleidoscopic view of life in India from 1899 to 1947. Sourced entirely from the British Film Institute (BFI) National Archive , the film assembles rare footage to explore the complexities of the British Raj and the journey toward independence. Film Overview
: The documentary juxtaposes the opulent lifestyles of British colonizers and Indian Maharajas with the daily struggles of farmhands and common citizens. It challenges the "Orientalist gaze" by reframing archival snippets to highlight shifting perspectives in pre-independence India. Archival Highlights : Around India with a Movie Camera YIFY
The film is available on several major digital platforms for renting or purchasing: Watch Around India with a Movie Camera online - BFI Player (2018) is a 72-minute documentary directed by Sandhya
: Though it is a silent documentary, it is accompanied by a contemporary score by sarod player Soumik Datta that blends Western and Indian musical traditions. Where to Watch It challenges the "Orientalist gaze" by reframing archival
: Features intimate home movies from expatriate families, professional newsreels, and even early hand-colored sequences.
: Captures historical personalities such as Mahatma Gandhi (including rare footage of his 1946 peace mission) and the child star Sabu.