War and Peace
India 2001
Directed by Anand Patwardhan
War and Peace reflects how India, one of the largest democracies in the world, turned its sights towards becoming a nuclear weapons state. This has happened gradually since independence.
The film tells of the rise of “nuclear nationalism”, how it was achieved and at what cost.
Award-winning director Anand Patwardhan deals with the contradictions in Indian politics and the way the government manipulated its citizens, religion and culture and shocked the world when it detonated nuclear weapons in the Rajastan desert in 1998.
The film captures the real threat to the sub-continent and the world from the rise in tension and increased border clashes between India and Pakistan, which made nuclear war a very real threat.
War and Peace ranges from India to Pakistan, Japan and the United States and contains significant historical revelations drawn from scores of interviews and coverage of public statements made by India’s key scientists, the government, diplomats, politicians and peace activitists.
Patwardhan provides an upfront, passionate and personal critique of the phenomenon of “nuclear nationalism” and its manifestation in Indian society — especially in the lives and homes of the poor and downtrodden. He then examines the triumphalist reaction within India to the testing of a nuclear bomb.
“The collapse of socialism saw a revival of bigotry in India. America had now become our role model,” says Patwardhan.
War and Peace is more than a documentary and an excellent record from both sides of the nuclear divide. It is also a celebration of the rise of the human spirit in defence of its dignity and the sheer power of human solidarity.
The film captures the passion and determination of the poor across India and Pakistan to stand up and challenge wars and destruction carried out in their name. In his search for the “voice of the people”, Patwardhan has managed to capture the generational and class differences in attitudes towards nuclear weapons.
Weapons versus food, a key theme of the film, resonates immediately in South Africa at a number of levels: the rise of nationalism as we march on to build “a new South African” identity and the potential dangers (the rise in xenophobia); the arms deal in the face of rising poverty and unemployment; public ignorance about the effects of increased militarisation; and the lack of transparency and access to information — all necessary elements to maintain the status quo of the rich getting richer and the poor paying the price.
War and Peace was banned in India for nearly two years, while Patwardhan challenged the government in the Bombay High Court on 21 counts. He won the case in June and now the film can be seen in Indian cinemas at its full length.
Anand Patwardhan will present his work at the 3 Continents Film Festival. There will also be a special screening in cooperation with the Anti-War Coalition.