THE STORY

Shot over three years by Director Franny Armstrong (McLibel), Drowned Out tells the true story of one family's inspired stand against the destruction of their land, homes and culture. The 75 minute no-budget, no-electricity, no-Hindi documentary has been seen by more than 14 million people.

Three choices. Move to the slums in the city, relocate to a barren resettlement site with no drinking water or stay at home and drown.

The people of Jalsindhi in central India must make a decision fast. In the next few weeks their village will disappear underwater as the giant Narmada Dam fills.

Bestselling author Arundhati Roy joins the fight agains the dam and asks the difficult questions. Will the water go to poor farmers or to rich industrialists? What happened to the 16 million people displaced by fifty years of dam building? Why should I care? Drowned Out follows the Jalsindhi villagers through hunger strikes, rallies, police brutality and a six year Supreme Court case. It stays with them as the dam fills and the river starts to rise. 

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REVIEWS

“An irresistible David and Goliath tale... you can’t help but cheer along” - Seattle Times
An irresistible David and Goliath tale... you can’t help but cheer along Seattle Times
An irresistible David and Goliath tale... you can’t help but cheer along Seattle Times
An irresistible David and Goliath tale... you can’t help but cheer along Seattle Times
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BASICS

  • Date of release: 2002
  • Production Started: 1999
  • Director: Franny Armstrong
  • Credits: complete list
  • Production Company: Spanner Films
  • Run Time: 75 mins
  • Original Language: English, Hindi, Gujarati, Bhilali, Kutchi, Pavri, Gondhi
  • Language Versions: English with English subtitles, Hindi
  • Rating: Not rated
  • Location: Narmada Valley, India + Delhi + London

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