Ethical Dilemmas of Cycle Rickshaw - Radio Show on Web

Here's the interview that Asia Pacific Forum featured on 'Men of Burden', it's labelled under 'Ethical Dilemmas of Cycle Rickshaws'. I was slow to start initially but I guess I picked up later. Amy and Chitra were great hosts and they both had been to Pondicherry. Talk about a small world. Hopefully, this would bring more awareness to our cause.
People, come forward with your contributions to our projects. Please visit http://www.accessiblehorizonfilms.com/partchange.html
and learn how you can donate.
Thanks for all your support so far.

Asia Pacific Forum(NYC) features segment on 'Men of Burden'

Asia Pacific Forum(NYC) features segment on "Men of Burden - Pedaling
Towards a Horizon" a documentary film on cycle rickshaws in India, on their
weekly Radio Show on Tuesday, June 19th 2007, broadcast between 8-9 p.m.
The segment will be the second in the show at around 8:15 p.m.
The segment will be part of a newly launched series on the environment and
developing economies- this segment focuses on the struggles of an India
where middle/upper class desires for technology and cars and where cycle
rickshaws represent an environmental blessing- and livelihood for
thousands of cycle rickshaw workers- though also respecting the
hardship/manual labor of rickshaw drivers.

ABOUT THE ASIA PACIFIC FORUM
Asia Pacific Forum is the progressive pan-Asian radio show broadcast every
Tuesday night from 8-9pm on WBAI 99.5 FM in New York City and live on the
web.
We particularly like to profile stories and perspectives which are
under-represented in mainstream media- and which we believe deserve
attention and dialogue.
For excerpts of past shows, please check out our website: Asia Pacific Forum
(http://www.asiapacificforum.org)

We cover underreported stories from Asia, as well as Asian American
politics and culture. Our guests have included Arundhati Roy, Gary Locke,
Jessica Hagedorn, Tariq Ali, Yuri Kochiyama, David Henry Hwang,
Monique Truong, Edward Said, Maxine Hong Kingston, Vijay Prashad,
Cathi Tactaquin, Zia Mian, Grace Lee Boggs, Vivek Bald, Phil Tajitsu
Nash, Bharavi Desai, Lois-Ann Yamanaka, Monami Maulik, Margaret
Fung, Robin D.G. Kelley, Shashi Tharoor, Joo-Hyun Kang, Mike Honda,
Vandana Shiva, John Liu, Stacey Ann Chin, Jeff Chang, DJ Rekha,
and Asian Dub Foundation.

Asia Pacific Forum airs on WBAI 99.5 FM in New York City. WBAI is part of
the Pacifica Foundation, a national radio network founded in 1946 with
additional affiliates in Houston, Los Angeles, Berkeley, and Washington,
D.C. Pacifica is a non-commercial, listener-sponsored network founded on a
strong community role in each individual station.

SYNOPSIS OF THE FILM
Set in the city of Pondicherry, a Union Territory in South East India, the
documentary uncovers the story of disappearing cycle rickshaw drivers
living in abject poverty. Over time, the city has experienced a gradual
but alarming reduction in the number of cycle rickshaws thereby
diminishing the chances of living of those who depend on them. What used
to be one of the primary modes of transport in the city is now a fading
memory with the few remaining ones staging a difficult survival. The film
explores some of the ethical dimensions of man pulling man against the
background of increasingly menacing effects of motorized transport and
pollution. It also takes you through the rickshaw men’s journey of hope on
the roads that have fostered them.
Representing one facet of India’s population below poverty line, these
unflagging men perpetually struggle to eat one satisfying meal a day. But
what is remarkable is the essence of some who believe in making a
difference in an apparently hopeless livelihood. While India's big cities
are racing towards globalization and technology, these men, against all
odds, remain appreciative of their modest lives by believing in the power
of now.
Portraying the immediacy and desolation of the situation the film
highlights a catalytic change revolutionizing India’s economic and social
future from the grass roots level. Juxtaposing the way of life of these
men with definitive solutions, the film answers the question of how these
changes can trickle down to the roots of India’s soil.
--
http://www.AccessibleHorizonFilms.com
http://acchor.blogspot.com/

1st Annual NJISACF

The weekend of June 2-3rd had the inauguration of the New Jersey Independent South Asian Cine Fest 2007. This was way overdue. Given that this was its first time, it did decently well. Quite a decent turnout although it wasn't overflowing. Georgestreet Playhouse was a good choice as the venue and yeah good food at the cafe. One concern was that, during the inauguration ceremony, it seemed more like an election campaign for the NJ Senate, no, really, for some time, it seemed like we were all sitting in the auditorium waiting to vote and register ourselves and even suggest policy changes in the government! I didn't know why they had to bring people to campaign in a film festival(the chief guest was running for the NJ senate - even then). Well, let bygones be bygones.
Anyways, Men of Burden was screened on the first day at 8:30 p.m. We had a Q and A session later with some good reviews by the audience. The slate of films was very diverse although I had already seen quite a few of them at various festivals like IFFLA, IAAC and SAIFF. On the whole, I would give it a 6.5 on a scale of ten. Keep it up and good luck!

Post-screening of Men of Burden

Things have been crazy the last few days. But didn't want to forget about the May 12th, 2007 screening of 'Men of Burden - Pedaling Towards a Horizon'. The screening went well but wished we had done more promotion. Getting people to an independent screening, that too, of a documentary film is definitely a not-so-easy task.
Journalist(SAJA-er) Aseem Chabra was kind enough to moderate the post-screening discussion. We had a good discussion with some in the audience, some backs and forths and a couple of leads for the rickshaw projects. Hopefully things will work out towards the contribution.
Aicon Gallery was supportive with their help during the screening. Thanks to everyone who contributed towards the screening. Also gotta thank Nanda and Arvind for their help with the audio system and ALM Associates in Rahway and Ram Lakhani from Digimax for lending the projection and screen systems.
Anyways, do look out for our next screening at the NJSAICF on June 2nd, at 7:45 p.m. Hope to have a good NJ turnout.

Pondicherry Cycle Rickshaws & Drivers

These are some pictures of 'Men of Burden' though not necessarily film stills, these were taken at different times. Although some of them are available on our film website 'Accessible Horizon Films', take a look again. Somewhere, somehow, they resonate with the beauty of Pondicherry. It reflects the pace of the town that was. But now, with the Autorickshaws and motorbikes, things have changed a lot.

Men of Burden - Exclusive NYC screening (Re-post)

Accessible Horizon Films in association with Aicon Gallery(formerly Gallery ArtsIndia), presents an Exclusive Screening of “MEN OF BURDEN – PEDALING TOWARDS A HORIZON”

Total Running Time: 66 minutes
Screening Venue: Aicon Gallery, 206, Fifth Avenue, New York, NY – 10010
Date & Time: 5:00 p.m – 6:30 p.m, 12^th May, 2007
Post-Screening Discussion with Filmmakers: Moderated by Aseem Chhabra
Tickets: All proceeds go directly to a Social cause (Men of Burden Cycle Rickshaw Revival Project)
$12 cash at the door
$20 cash donations at door(Receive the Men of Burden Sound Track CD by Steve Gorn)

For more information, please visit: www.AccessibleHorizonFilms.com

Preview Clip (2) - Men of Burden

Here's a re-post of the second preview clip.

Preview Clip (1) - Men of Burden

With our impending Exclusive NYC screening of "Men of Burden - Pedaling Towards a Horizon", on May 12th, 2007, at 5 p.m (at Aicon Gallery), we just thought it might be a good idea to re-post the Preview Clips.
For more Event Information, please click on Exclusive Screening.

Men of Burden - Exclusive Screening in NYC

Accessible Horizon Films in association with Aicon Gallery(formerly Gallery ArtsIndia), presents an Exclusive Screening of “MEN OF BURDEN – PEDALING TOWARDS A HORIZON”

Total Running Time: 66 minutes
Screening Venue: Aicon Gallery, 206, Fifth Avenue, New York, NY – 10010
Date & Time: 5:00 p.m – 6:30 p.m, 12^th May, 2007
Post-Screening Discussion with Filmmakers: Moderated by Actress Pooja Kumar
Tickets: All proceeds go directly to a Social cause (Men of Burden Cycle Rickshaw Revival Project)
$12 cash at the door
$20 cash donations at door(Receive the Men of Burden Sound Track CD by Steve Gorn)

For more information, please visit: www.AccessibleHorizonFilms.com

Men of Burden - Official Selection at NJISA Cine Fest

Hi all
'Men of Burden - Pedaling Towards a Horizon' has been officially selected at the New Jersey Independent South Asian Cine Fest and will be screened June 2nd-3rd at the George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick. This will most likely be the NJ premiere of the film.

New Jersey Independent South Asian Cine Fest, NJISACF, produced by the Asian American Film and Theater Project, in association with Manavi, is committed to the exhibition of independent films by and about South Asians. It promotes and recognizes the talents of the new, the established, the best and the brightest Indie filmmakers from across the globe.
The two-day festival will screen feature, short, documentary and animated films of all genres, with accompanying filmmaker Q&As, and panel discussions on various topics related to the craft and business of filmmaking. Jury and Audience Choice Prizes will be awarded for excellence in various categories.
The festival’s mission is to facilitate a thriving and dynamic interaction and dialog among filmmakers, writers, actors, producers, film critics, film scholars, film industry professionals, the movie-loving public, and the American society at large, thereby making it an essential part of the multi-cultural landscape of New Jersey.

Watch out for updates on more screenings in the NY Tri-state area.

Preview Clip 2 - Men of Burden

Here's a second Preview clip from "Men of Burden - Pedaling Towards a Horizon". Updates coming up soon.

Men of Burden - Preview clip 1

Watch out for our documentary film's Exclusive Screening in New York City next month. Date/Venue to be announced soon. Till then, here's a preview clip of "Men of Burden - Pedaling Towards a Horizon". Check out the Intro/Trailer HERE.

Intro/Trailer Revisited: Men of Burden

Though the Trailer/Intro for "Men of Burden - Pedaling Towards a Horizon" has been up on our website Accessible Horizon Films for a while now, we just thought it might be a good idea to revisit it because of some new updates regarding the film (which will be out soon). More clips to follow soon.

Outrage: NYC Pedicab (Cycle Rickshaw) Regulations

NYC against alternative transportation? NYC against reduction of green house gas emissions? NYC council against a better tomorrow?
This is what we call purely outrageous. Can you believe it? NYC council has passed a regulation against the Pedicab (Cycle Rickshaw) industry on its streets owing to 'congestion' and 'safety standards'...whatever that means.
I just got off the phone with the man who pioneered the Pedicab Business and is still fighting the regulations of the NYC council - George Bliss. He needs the support of everyone who's for the pedicab industry. Just remember that there are larger ramifications if we don't fight this right now. Check out this article for more information - NY State Vs. NYC
Also check out Times Up, which is a New York City-based not-for-profit direct-action environmental group that uses events and educational programs to promote a more sustainable, less toxic city.
This is mostly due to the lobbying of the Yellow cabs/Medallion in NYC which are trying to suppress the pedicabs. Check out this video "Inclusively Green" which is an antidote to the video by the yellow cab lobbyists.
Images courtesy: http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/02/14/pedicab-rally-in-the-news/

This is especially disheartening because our documentary film "Men of Burden - Pedaling Towards a Horizon" is advocating the cause of Cycle Rickshaws (Pedicabs)
For more information, check out our website www.AccessibleHorizonFilms.com