May 22, 2007

Contact: Bob Adams
(425) 564-3081
badams@bcc.ctc.edu

India’s leading art-film director presents
two public discussions of his work at BCC May 29

BELLEVUE, WASH. – Contemporary Indian filmmaker Shyam Benegal, a leading director in India’s art-film industry, will present and discuss his work in two public appearances at Bellevue Community College May 29.

Both presentations are free of charge, and will be held in room 201 of the college’s N Building, at the south end of campus (3000 Landerholm Circle S.E., Bellevue, at the intersection of S.E. 28th St. and 148th Ave. S.E.).

Beginning at 2:30 p.m., Benegal will present “'Nishant” (“Night’s End),” a classic film from 1975 which exposes the power of the rural elite of India and the sexual exploitation of women.

At 7 p.m., in a presentation titled ”Alternative Indian Cinema: Gender, Justice and Dissent,” Benegal will lead a panel discussion of his cinematic themes of economic disparity, oppression and the exploitation of women, as revealed in clips of his films. Joining Benegal on the panel will be members of Tasveer, a South Asian independent film organization based in Seattle.

Benegal’s films have repeatedly won international acclaim over recent decades for their depth and vision.

Benegal is currently the India Distinguished Visitor to the South Asia Center at the University of Washington’s Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies.

His appearances at BCC are sponsored by the college’s Center for Liberal Arts.

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