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A film on how Goa’s traditional fishing community is engaging with changing socio-economic structures

project created by soniafilinto, project category Film/Video
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Popular holiday destination Goa attracts sun worshippers from the world over. Typical of coastal communities, this small state off the Arabian Sea in Western India has traditionally been a fishing stronghold. Over the last few decades, rapid changes in Goa’s socio-economic profile have had a profound impact on the state’s inhabitants - and the fishing community is no exception. Many men-at-sea left the trade to try their fortunes in the Middle East. Some of its effects were irreversible as ‘easy’ money won over hardships at sea. Fisherwomen saw their lives change too - they can decide whether they want earn a livelihood by selling fish at the local market or by renting out a room to holiday makers.

Nowhere is this more apparent than in the state’s northern coastal belt that includes densely populated villages. The documentary film will explore the lives of fisher folk in one such village – Calangute. How do the men and women, young and old perceive the evolution that their community has gone through? How do they negotiate the space on the shore - once the exclusive domain of their boats - with tourist shacks and beach beds? The film will engage with them as they go about their daily lives - living out joys and sorrows, hopes and aspirations.

Filming is scheduled for the end of September to be followed by post production.

A little about myself - I’m a television producer/director from Goa, currently based in Dubai. Here’s a link to one of the programs that I directed http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_yDvtzQPI4
I have also worked in Mumbai, India on documentaries and television shows. Some of my writings can be found at www.soniafilinto.blogspot.com

As a Goan, born and raised the coastal village of Calangute, I have grown up around those involved in the fish trade. As someone who is interested in the human story - in those who make the wheels turn, or are compelled to take the ride - I want to tell Goa's story through the lives of this community.

This will be my first independent directing project. The funds will go towards camera and sound equipment rentals as well as post production - editing and sound design.

UPDATES ON www.facebook.com/shiftingsandsthefilm

The start

Posted on 01/08/2011

Early morning jogs and late afternoon leisurely strolls. Romantic walks and solitary ambles. I’ve spent many hours of my life along the shores of Calangute beach in North Goa. As a carefree child, an angst-ridden teenager, a yet-to-find-my-feet adult. Over the years, one thing that’s remained constant is the roar of the waves on one side. Change has been the defining landscape on the other. I no longer live in my home state, Goa, but whenever I go back to visit my family, a trip to the seashore is mandatory. The transformation that I witness every time doesn’t cease to amaze me. Calangute and its coastline has always been the centre of attention for a variety of reasons but what interests me is the lives of the men and women who have traditionally lived at the edge of the sea - the fishing community. The place has ‘progressed’ from a busy fishing hub to a crowded tourist centre. Many boats that earlier lined the shore are now replaced by beach beds. Boys who used to help as deck hands on their father’s boats now operate water scooters. While I do believe the popular saying the only thing constant is change, I want to talk to the people before multiple layers of change bury their stories forever.

Name Amount
Mortimer 200
Siddharth Sharma 100
Merlynrodrigues 50
Aneesha n Niranjan 25
HBDXB 20
Mortimer 10
Name
Mortimer
Siddharth Sharma
brunswickstudios

27%

£405 Wefunded
of £1500 Target
6 Wefunders
26 weeks 6 days ago

  1. Pledge £10 or more

    Thank you credits in the film, unless you wish otherwise. Updates on how the project is getting along

  2. Pledge £20 or more

    All of the above. A series of post-card size posters of the film

  3. Pledge £50 or more

    Special thanks credits, unless you wish otherwise. One DVD copy of the film. Updates on how the project is getting along

  4. Pledge £100 or more

    Co-producer credits unless you wish otherwise. One DVD copy of the film. Two passes to a screening at a venue closest to you. Poster of the film. Updates on how the project is getting along. Prominent mention on the project’s website

Project by:

soniafilinto