Films as a Tool to Resolve Conflict

How to resolve conflicts: Conflict Resolution Styles and Strategies


Terror in our world and Youth as vulnerable targets and actors

The world today is torn apart with war, hatred, crime and violence. The visual of young Ajmal Kasab, gun in hand and a knapsack on his back is an image that India will take long to forget. This 22 year old along with his other young comrades held the entire nation to ransom killing and terrorizing the people of Mumbai. The one thing, which is common across the world of terrorism, is the large involvement of youth. A large number of people in the age group of 20 to 35 are subsumed in playing this game of terror. Their minds are susceptible and vulnerable and they fall pray to influences and brainwashing. Often young people choose violence because they think or people make them think that they will be treated as heroes and thereby bring a good name for ‘their religion’, ‘their culture’ and ‘their society’. There are many reasons why youth get involved in violence, but the most significant reasons are unemployment, their poor survival across childhood days and most importantly a crisis of identity. Many youth are born and brought up in poor conditions and lack proper education. They often have to face unemployment. Under such circumstances, communalism and extremist ideas bring a sense of identity and purpose in their lives. ‘Kasab’ who is the only terrorist caught alive in the Mumbai operations revealed some eye opening facts to me. He said he was from a poor family and his family disrespected him when he was unemployed but on returning from the terrorist camps things had changed dramatically. He got a lot of respect from his family and society and this must have given him a great sense of gratification when compared to his earlier days of uselessness. This shows the mindset of the society we live in. Also the kind of training that these extremist organizations provide are very tough and require youthful stamina again making the young people the right candidates to be baited by these camps and organizations. The training details Kasab gave were also very tough and involved long hours of torturous and physically grueling tasks only young powerful men can go through. It is for these reasons that the Bajrang Dal, the Naxalite groups, the extremist Islamic organizations, Zionists, the LTTE, the mafia gangs all depend on the involvement of the young.


On the other hand such groups also have an immense appeal to young people who are caught between cultures and inter-generational conflicts, unsure of their own identities and convictions. Many government schemes/policies for young people too have failed to provide socio-political knowledge, which leads to the true development of young people. Government schemes such as the National Social Service Scheme (NSS), provides space for young people to do something positive and better for the society but such spaces do not explore the knowledge of socio-political issues. In the NSS, youth become the tool for the development. However there is no avenue, which concentrates on their development. There is certainly a need to give young people grounding in values of social justice, pluralism and secularism through democratic dialogue even as they youthfully explore religion, culture and their multiple identities. Let young men and women genuinely explore their experiences and self-perceptions based on class, gender, sexuality, ethnicity as well as their interests and likeness in the soico-political issues.


Youth-hood should be about romantic relationships, discovering the beauty of life and the creation of a beautiful and peaceful society. Instead, we see young people turning into destroyers who want to win over every difficulty and conflict by using violence; even where his own death becomes a part of the process!! A young person who respects religious diversity, who believes in democracy and dialogue, who is integrated into a multicultural society, who sees jihad as war within oneself and who celebrates a love of life will be able to condemn violence and fragmentation of humankind.


I would like to speak about the vulnerability of young minds and the susceptibility of youth from my own experiences. I have spent 4 years of my childhood in RSS shakhas. I learned how to love and respect my nation and my religion. I also learned how other religions are not as good as mine and also about the ‘threat’ on my religion from ‘others’. This was the beginning of a long battle of love and hatred. I was studying with Muslim students but never interacted with them. I had always thought of them as slayers and criminals. After my schooling I came to Ahmedabad for graduation. I got enrolled in a convent college. I considered Christians as slayers and criminals too. And then the 2002 communal carnage happened. My sister-in-laws shop was burned. It was a big financial loss for them and suddenly she became ‘unfortunate’. Every one-said Muslims destroyed her shop. My anger increased and I donated a precious sum to an extremist religious group. After a year I got to know that some one known had burned the shop and he is a Hindu. It was not an incident of communal clash but just revenge. By that time more then 2000 people had been killed in Gujarat. I was feeling guilty and I was very confused about religious extremism. One day I heard about a workshop on communalism in Ahmedabad. During that workshop I watched a film on the communal clashes. I saw dead bodies. I could not identify whether they were Hindus or Muslims? That workshop changed my mind. I met many other young people like myself in that workshop. We decided to do something for communal harmony. In 2003 we started a group called Youth for Peace. The primary mission was to sensitize youth for peace building. After graduation I joined Drishti to co-ordinate a programme that includes youth for peace promotion and conflict transformation.


For the last three years I have been working on this programme. This paper is not about the theories I have read but my journey and experience through this programme.


The Young Inherit the Earth: How can we positively channelise young minds.

The young will inherit the earth and hold its future in their hands. However they will also inherit its strife and heightened uncertainties. It is said that the minds of young people is most vulnerable to outside influences. Extremist groups cash in on this, penetrate their minds and whip up passion so that they take up arms and kill. In times like this there are many organizations, which are working with the youth towards resolving this strife and conflict. Young people are our future of the country. Every generation of the community is worried about the ‘values’ youth practice. Youth represents the hope, the present and future of the society. Today they have a million websites to visit, thousands restaurants to sit, hundred cinemas and parties to go to, many reality shows to participate in but not a single space or platform where they could talk about the issues which bother them. This vacuum draws many towards the extremist ideologies. Every young person needs uniqueness. Many political parties and religious groups provide these unique identities. They also give a little power which very often is used for destructive means. Society expects a lot from young people and also blames them for being disintegrated, detached and disinterested but the truth is as societies we have never provided them a platform, which youth can claim. Neither elders nor teachers encourage young people to discuss socio-political issues or give a ear to their respective views. However many platforms have been created and exist in our society for young people. Most of these platforms use ‘youth for the development’ (e.g. National Social Service Scheme) rather ‘development for youth’. It is really important to work for the development of youth. It is essential to have an alternative platform for youth where they can express their views on issues like peace, violence, discrimination or other issues, which reflects their life. Given a right platform and opportunities their energies can be channelised for constructive activities to promote the spirit of Peace and Tolerance. If given an alternative platform and some guidance, we can certainly create a peaceful and tolerant society. The breakdown in the social systems affects youth in particular, because they lack the experience and the support to help them to cope up. Problems such as discrimination, gang involvement, drug abuse and violence have become a major influence in the lives of the youth today. While youth want to build a peaceful society, they feel powerless to change injustice, violence and corruption. They lack good role models for constructive participation in civil society, or the education that will train them to be leaders in resolving conflicts. Many times youth respond to conflicts with violence and this is because they are unable to analyze the root cause of conflicts and unable to find peaceful solutions. The interest and the participation of young people are crucial contributions for a society of peace, justice, and self-determination. They should be encouraged to think critically about their role in society and their potential for change.


Nazariya is an initiative of Drishti, Ahmedabad where I have worked and learnt from young people. It is just one of such place which works with the youth of Ahemdabad where they can critically analyze their society and change it. We work to bring in an alternative perception into the youth community by screening documentaries films that reflect a broader reality of the people in our society. Nazariya organizes film screenings and film festivals, which are followed by intensive discussions amongst the youth on issues of Peace and Tolerance. It aims to sensitize young people towards social issues and encourages them to take actions as socially responsible citizens. Since September 2005, it has set up 26 film clubs in educational institutes of Ahmedabad where, at least 2 films screenings take place every month. These documentary films provide the youth an alternate perception of real stories and issues. This activity has given a platform to understand and explore the soico-political issues, which ultimately leads to promote the spirit of peace. All those students who watch these films, starts developing interest in the peace promotion.


Can Films Resolve Conflict?
I have often been asked, can watching films really create any change in society? Films are a very powerful medium, which leaves a very deep impact on people’s mind, especially on youth. The Audio-visual medium has a far greater effect on our minds in comparison to any other medium. Starting from hairstyles, to choosing a motorbike, from clothing style to bodybuilding. Many things, which are shown in films, become the latest style for youth. Recently, we have seen many young people with ‘Ghajani’ hairstyle after the release of ‘Ghajani’ or riding a stylised bike after the release of ‘Dhoom’. Many have started learning martial arts after watching Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee’s films.


A Film’s impacts are not only limited to style but also to the sensitivity and attitudes of people. A lot of credit should go to films of 1950s and early 60s, which showcased the struggle of suppressed people. More recently many youngsters started small groups for social work after watching Rang De Basanti or renewed Gandhiji’s ideology (Gandhigiri) after watching Lage Raho Munna Bhai. Many times these impacts are temporary or limited only to the a certain superficial level but often it pierces consciousness too. However documentary films show the reality of the society, real people and real issues. Documentary films provide a different perspective of issues to the audience. In my experience these films inspire youth and challenge them to think in days when the written word doesn’t reach them often. These films raise many questions related to a particular issue. When followed up with a healthy and informative discussion, these films truly have the potential to create a deep impact on the minds of these thinking young people. Often these spaces of discussion move from one subject to another and I have noticed young people discussing a wide spectrum of issues and subjects. Our issue experts who facilitate these screenings are often surprised by the maturity of the dealth of knowledge young people display.


It is because of this intrinsic potential in films that it can be used as a very effective tool of conflict resolution. Screening and discussing films have proved to have a great potential to create positive change.


Most of the conflicts arise from small but unsolved problems. The first step to resolve any problem is to accept the problem. One cannot resolve any problem without the realization of its existence. Our society denies the existence of sensitive issues and maintains a tight-lipped silence around them. There is no problem in the world, which can be solved by violence or cannot be resolved through discussion and fair talking. But at the same time it is very important to have enough information to accept and discuss these problems. Films provide necessary information to understand the problem and its causes. The minimum effect a film can leave on the human mind is to make a person accept the problem. Many films also provide the other side of the story, other perspectives of issues and many times solutions of the problems as well.


Since films make a huge impact on youth and they are the future, it is important to use films as a medium to sensitize and involve youth for peace promotion and conflict resolution. Most of the young people study in education institutes. Students studying in colleges or other education institutes often remain unexposed to documentary films and broader reality of the society. Films screenings in education institutes can be a very important starting point to initiate dialogues with young. Education institutes are the place where you can target the mass number of students without spending much energy. Regular film clubs in educational institutes are the most systematic mechanism to interact with students on a regular basis. It enables people to follow up with students on the issues they work on and creates possibilities of engaging students in action-based activities. Since most of the education institutes provides 2-3 years courses, one can involve students in peace promotion activities for a sustainable time period.


This activity in collaboration with education institutes is a sustainable model where both the organization (organization or individual who works with youth on peace promotion) and education institutes have to spend very little resources. This can be a long term plan and every year new set of students can get involved. Faculties of these education institutes are the best observers. They know what are the issues youth bother about, how do they react, what are the sensitive issues or how do students react sensitively etc. Keeping these teachers and faculty members in the process can strengthen the entire process. These faculty members can be the bridge between the students and peace promotion activities. Also, each film screening in film clubs must follow with a discussion. A film club co-ordinator or resource person can lead these discussions.


It is important to work with young people of all class, caste, gender and religion. There are many young people who either doesn’t go to education institutes and some take up careers early. These young people cannot access the film clubs of education institutes. Hence it is necessary to have film clubs in neutral places as well, where young people from all sections can be involve in film screenings. Every city has private cultural spaces, which can be utilized for film club activities. Regular film screenings can generate a very unique new community of film viewers. This community can have a very diverse culture because of the diversity of its members. It is said that peace is not possible without understanding the ‘other’. And to understand the ‘other,’ one needs information. This film club not only provides the information about social issues but also provides information of different culture, people and their issues by getting involved in discussions and activities. This film club enables people to have access of the ‘other’. Access to diverse cultures, traditions and people can give enough information to increase the tolerance level. This ultimately leads to a peaceful society.


It has also been observed that many terrorist groups use films (video) to provoke youth to get involved in violent activities. Audiovisual images of Bloodsheds, dead bodies and cry of near and dear ones provoke youth to take actions. Many groups take advantage of this provocation and show the path of violence. At the same time the same films can also be used for the completely opposite purpose, the purpose of peace promotion and conflict transformation.


Many times there is an argument that films play an important role to promote violence amongst young people. All films about the World Wars or the Nazi atrocities have only helped in creating the most positive influences in the world where we have learnt from our past mistakes. Films are an important tool. They can be used negatively to incite and create destruction and they can be used most positively to inspire and create a just and humane world.


I would like to quote the example of some films, which in my experience of working with youth have created a deep positive impact.


War and Peace by Anand Patwardhan

Filmed over three tumultuous years in India, Pakistan, Japan and the USA following nuclear tests in the Indian sub-continent, War and Peace is a documentary journey of peace activism in the face of global militarism and war. The film is framed by the murder of Mahatma Gandhi in 1948, an act whose portent and poignancy remains undiminished half a century later. For the filmmaker, whose family was immersed in the non-violent Gandhian movement, the sub-continent's trajectory towards unabashed militarism is explored with sorrow, though the film captures stories of resistance along the way. Amongst these is a visit to the "enemy country" of Pakistan, where contrary to expectations; not only their counterparts in the peace movement but also by uninitiated common folk shower Indian delegates with affection. The film moves on to examine the costs being extracted from citizens in the name of national security. From the plight of residents living near the nuclear test site to the horrendous effects of uranium mining on local indigenous populations, it becomes abundantly clear that, contrary to a myth first created by the U.S, there is no such thing as the "peaceful Atom". WAR & PEACE / JANG AUR AMAN slips seamlessly from a description of home made jingoism to focus on how an aggressive United States has become a role model, its doctrine of "Might is Right" only too well-absorbed by aspiring elites of the developing world. As we enter the 21st century, war has become perennial, enemies are re-invented and economies are inextricably tied to the production and sale of weapons. In the moral wastelands of the world memories of Gandhi seem like a mirage that never was, created by our thirst for peace and our very distance from it.


What has emerged from my experiences with the youth is than many young people support nuclear weapons because they believe that this will make our country one of the most powerful countries in the world. Particularly in India, young minds fear from a continuous threat from our neighboring country Pakistan. Indian youth feel that Pakistan is the biggest enemy of India and the only solution is to be armed with nuclear weapons. Nuclear weapons give them the feeling of power and security. After watching this film, many young people have understood the myth of nuclear power. They have understood the negative impacts of nuclear weapons. Pakistani media is banned in India hence Indian youth hardly get to know Pakistani young people’s views. This film has given an opportunity to Indian and Pakistani youth to understand each other’s views. Many Indian youth have overcome their typical fear factor of Pakistan and stopped supporting use of nuclear weapons. This is how this film has resolved the conflict between Indian and Pakistani youth by providing the real information and alternate perception of a sensitive issue.

Another important film, which always leads to interesting discussions and change, is Lage Raho Munna Bhai directed by Rajkumar Hirani.

A hilarious underworld gangster known as Munna Bhai falls comically in love with a radio host named Jahnvi, who runs an elders' home, which is taken over by an unscrupulous builder Lucky Singh, who gets the residents kicked out ironically with the help of Munna's sidekick, Circuit, while Munna is busy romancing Jahnvi elsewhere. Munna, who is now masquerading as a Professor specializing on the life of Mahatma Gandhi, must now battle his very own forces and the builder - but he has one ally on his side - none other than the great man - Mahatma Gandhi himself. Munna embarks upon using Gandhi's principles of truth and non-violence to bring about a change in Lucky Singh's heart and gets back the house.

This film has made Gandhiji’s philosophy of non-violence popular again in India, especially among the youth. Popularly known as Gandhigiri, it has shown how Gadhiji’s teachings can still be useful in today’s world. Many young people have started sending red roses or get well soon cards to resolve conflicts rather spreading violence.

Salvi Agarwal a young professional has said, “visual appeal is far greater than what you read. So if you see documentaries you actually get to know that yeah this is the truth! This is actually what’s happening in our society! I actually was a very spoilt, rich, snobbish, arrogant, rude brat who considered herself superior to all other beings in colleges. But watching documentaries that were screened in my college, actually sensitized me and it actually did the role reversal”.



Nishant Gadhvi another young professional from Ahmedabad who has been associated with Nazariya’s activities for long says, “Films make you think about issues, scenario, problems and also some times solutions”.



Jeetika Lamba who has been associated first as a student and then as a young professional with Nazariya’s activities says, “I have seen lots of films but one film which has made a big impact on me would be Parzania which is on Communal Harmony. Today when I talk about communal harmony or Hindu - Muslim issues, this is one film that always passes my mind. This makes me feel stronger about the issue and it has defiantly made a strong impact on my mind. Today, I feel empowered enough to not only fight for my rights or my issues but also for others”.



Anar Bhatt, who teaches at the Swaminarayan College says, “I have seen the change in students’ mindsets. They are now more sensitive towards the issue. Initially they were not thinking about it. Sometimes they used to hear for the sake of hearing but now they are getting involved also. They discuss and read about these issues”.



Sharvari another young lady who has a long association with Nazariya says, “I used to think that people discriminate Dalits on the basis of caste but I really didn’t want to do anything about it. After watching films on castiesm I realized that at least I must change my own perception towards Dalits.”

A Better Future for Our World
For a peaceful society it is important to work with young people who will lay the foundation for our future. It is important to address their issues in the language they understand best and to inspire, motivate and illuminate their minds with ways through which they will be able to negotiate with their surroundings in forever creative and constructive ways. It has been proven across the years, that films have the potential to be that tool which can play this role very effectively. Films for peace and conflict resolution is one of those creative paths which can engage young people and direct them towards the path to shape a beautiful future for our World.

In Peace,
Gaurang Raval

Acknowledgment:
Drishti, Ahmedabad.
Kavita Das Gupta, Ahmedabad