Film: The Dancing Lion of Mazgaon
Date: 8 March 2019
Group: Ankit, Chinar, Timmayo, Yaniam
Language: English
Duration: 29 min 23 sec
Synopsis
Set in the backdrop of the Chinese New year, the film explores the associations between the Kwan Kung temple in Mazgaon, and the Chinese community of Mumbai. Once a source of many cultures, the small community now comes together on various occasions in this cityscape. While Mumbai once boasted of a thriving “Chinatown” in Kamathipura, ethnic Chinese people have migrated abroad for many reasons; leading to a sparse population in a place which once many Chinese families called their home. That said, Albert Tham has been looking after the temple for many years, and has lived in the city for almost 4 decades. Alex Yi, from Kanpur, has recently found his footing in the city. As Lili returns to India, where she spent her childhood, after 57 years, she talks of exclusions and persecutions that are as relevant today as they were in 1962. The dancing lion in Mazgaon is a tribute to the many cultures that call Mumbai their home, and also to those which are persecuted. In spite of this, there is a sense of faith that seems to transcend identities and ways of living. The film attempts to weave together stories of the present and the past, hinting at the complex ways in which identities are formed.
Filmmakers’ bios
Ankit Pareek
After pursuing his Bachelor’s degree in Commerce, Ankit has worked as a finance professional before joining the course M.A. in Media and Cultural Studies at TISS. As part of his coursework, he has been a part of a team which made a music video and a public service announcement. He has also worked in a team which made a documentary film titled “Navi Mumbai, Navi Begari”. Links for his body of work:
● Documentary film: https://migrantmumbai.wordpress.com/navi-mumbai-navi-begari/
● Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=te5fXL9WRMc&index=5&list=PLUC2Cgr3XxdwJvE4IHKffeUH_noMGsJA9&t=2s
● Public Service Announcement (PSA): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NL-phnBo7jg&list=PLUC2Cgr3XxdwmqAw13BUxGdJX5Vd3cGbp&index=3&t=3s
Chinar Mehta
After graduating as an engineer of Information and Communication Technology, Chinar worked as a web developer for 2 years. Currently, she is a postgraduate student of Media and Cultural Studies at TISS, Mumbai. In the past, she has worked in a team making a film Ghutan. Links for her body of work:
● Documentary film: https://migrantmumbai.wordpress.com/ghutan/
● Public Service Announcement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAzcSv9h_UU&list=PLUC2Cgr3XxdwmqAw13BUxGdJX5Vd3cGbp&index=1
Timmayo Thumra
Thumra is currently pursuing Masters in Media and Cultural Studies in Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. After graduating in Economics, she interned with FXB India and is a member of the Hao Folklore Society, Ukhrul. She has worked in a group for a Public Service Announcement (PSA) titled Victim Blaming, Music Video, Community Radio and Documentary film titled Na Feriwala Kshetra as part of a group. Links for her body of work:
● Documentary film: https://migrantmumbai.wordpress.com/na-feriwala-kshetra-no-hawking-zone/
● Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=420jQ-Wpm5I&list=PLUC2Cgr3XxdwJvE4IHKffeUH_noMGsJA9&index=2
● Public Service Announcement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lnZ_WkEzp4&list=PLUC2Cgr3XxdwmqAw13BUxGdJX5Vd3cGbp&index=4
Yaniam Chukhu
After graduating in Sociology from Delhi University, Chukhu is currently purusing masters in Media and Cultural Studies at Tata Insitute of Social Sciences. As part of the course work, she has worked on groups on Public Service Announcement- Quite No More, Music Video- Jheel, Documentary- Bhojpuri Bambaiwale, and community radio station- Folk Station. Links for her body of work:
● Documentary film: https://migrantmumbai.wordpress.com/bhojpuri-bambaiwale/
● Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGwtH4j0Ix8&list=PLUC2Cgr3XxdwJvE4IHKffeUH_noMGsJA9&index=3
● Public Service Announcement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5TryqIQebs&index=3&list=PLUC2Cgr3XxdwmqAw13BUxGdJX5Vd3cGbp