‘Tana Bana’, a documentary exploring Muslim silk weavers of the Ganges, will be released in Dublin’s Irish Film Institute (IFI) this Friday, October 9th.
The documentary looks at Varanasi on the Ganges, famous for its Muslim silk weavers whose lives are closely interwoven with that of their Hindu neighbours. For over a thousand years the skills of their trade have passed from one generation to the next. Now, however, facing globalisation and computerisation (with one automated machine doing the work of many men), thousands of small businesses are closing down.
In a four star review in The Irish Times, Donald Clarke stated that the film “manages to pack an enormous amount of information within its beautifully appointed frame” and praised its “luscious shots of fabrics, dye and crumbling architecture.”
Directed by Pat Murphy (Nora), it was produced by Murphy and Rachel Lysaght for Underground Films. It was funded by the Irish Film Board, Simon Cumbers Fund, Mudita Productions, and Underground Films.
The opening night screening at 6.30pm will be followed by a Q&A session with Pat Murphy. Tickets can be booked for ‘Tana Bana’ at http://www.ifi.ie/film/tana-bana.
