In a world full of cruelty, ‘My Home India’ is a story of kindness

Written by Malgorzata Czausow and Anjali Bhushan and directed by Bhushan, My Home India is a documentary about a settlement for Polish refugees in India. Filled with joyous archival footage and interviews of Polish people who were saved by this settlement, My Home India is a heartwarming account of the kindness that can be extended to those in need, regardless of who they are or where they come from (JRL: 3.5/5). 

Review by FF2 Media Intern Julia Lasker 

In the midst of World War II, Poland had a refugee crisis. Heroically, India opened its doors to thousands of the refugees, bringing relief to the issue. My Home India tells the story of one such settlement which, built in Valivade, Maharashtra, became home to over 10,000 Polish refugees. The settlement was something of a utopia for its inhabitants; throughout the film are interviews of people who lived there, who, now in their old age, recall memories of Valivade fondly. One man describes the place as “Heaven”, and another as a “home away from home”. In a touching moment, some of the prior refugees return to India and are brought back to a place of peace and happiness that they experienced in the settlement. The interviews are interspersed with archival footage from the actual settlement, sourced from the personal collection of Dariusz Sobiczewski. 

My Home India also spotlights the leader of the whole endeavor, Kira

Banasinska, who convinced the Maharaja of Kolhapur to donate land on which to build the settlement, and spearheaded its construction. She also dedicated herself to making Valivade a happy, safe, and productive environment for the refugees.  She is truly a hero for the Polish people who came to Valivade, and the film does a wonderful job of paying tribute to her. 

Only spanning 45 minutes and jam-packed with archival footage, My Home India feels more like an episode on the History Channel than a full documentary. The footage that accompanies the interviews is informative and makes sense with the scope of the film, but artistic cinematography doesn’t seem to be a priority here. So, though the archival footage is intriguing, the doc is not overall all that visually captivating. 

At the same time, cinematography is not a priority because, I think, spreading the information and the doc’s message takes precedence over it. There is no fluff in this film (which is, again, a shocking 45 minutes in length): it shows India’s heroic efforts to alleviate Poland’s exploding refugee crisis, specifically that of Kira Banasinska, and nothing more or less. If that’s all that it set out to do, it does get the job done. 

Despite its brevity, My Home India has a beautiful sentiment: in a world that can be quite cruel, we can put our differences aside and help each other out. This is a film of love and of humanity, of what we are willing to do for each other (which, though you don’t expect it, actually turns out to be a lot), and of the joy and the gratification that comes with leaning on one another in times of need. 

Commentary by Review Coach Giorgi Plys-Garzotto

I agree with Julia that this felt more like an episode of TV than a movie. The whole production had a distinctly History Channel vibe, which isn’t altogether a bad thing. I was unclear on what kind of resources the production had to work with, but the sense I got was that they mainly got footage of the refugee children returning to India after being shipped to England after the war. The rest was filled in with archival footage and interviews. In general, the production values for this film are not great, though it definitely makes up for its production values with the subject matter.

Kira Banasinska seems to have been quite the lady from this film’s perspective! I had never heard of her before seeing this film, and the introduction made me glad that I had chosen to come see it. I will definitely be seeking out a book about Banasinska in the future to find out more about this forceful and tenacious woman. In general though, I wished I had found out more about Kira, since all they really had were some eyewitness accounts and some pictures. Since Banasinska has passed, that is all that must have been available, but there was something lacking in the film that did not bring her to life the way she might have wanted.

Overall, this film has a great message about a great subject. However, it seems like whoever funded this really should have given the filmmakers more money to execute their vision. The low budget on this documentary makes the interesting subject matter less able to shine on-screen.

Q: Does My Home India pass the Bechdel-Wallace Test? 

A: Indeed!

© Julia Lasker (11/13/19) FF2 Media

379 comments

  61. Pingback: 1sterile

  191. The assignment submission period was over and I was nervous, slotsite and I am very happy to see your post just in time and it was a great help. Thank you ! Leave your blog address below. Please visit me anytime.

    Reply
  313. Pingback: 2stagnation

  345. I have read your article carefully and I agree with you very much. This has provided a great help for my thesis writing, and I will seriously improve it. However, I don’t know much about a certain place. Can you help me?

    Reply

  362. I may need your help. I tried many ways but couldn’t solve it, but after reading your article, I think you have a way to help me. I’m looking forward for your reply. Thanks.

    Reply

  368. certainly like your web site however you need to check the spelling on quite a few of your posts.

    A number of them are rife with spelling problems and I find it very bothersome to tell the reality nevertheless I’ll
    certainly come back again.

    Reply

  374. analizador de vibraciones
    Aparatos de balanceo: esencial para el rendimiento fluido y efectivo de las equipos.

    En el ambito de la ciencia avanzada, donde la productividad y la estabilidad del equipo son de suma importancia, los sistemas de calibracion cumplen un papel vital. Estos equipos especializados estan disenados para equilibrar y fijar piezas rotativas, ya sea en dispositivos de fabrica, transportes de desplazamiento o incluso en dispositivos caseros.

    Para los profesionales en mantenimiento de sistemas y los tecnicos, utilizar con dispositivos de equilibrado es importante para garantizar el desempeno fluido y seguro de cualquier mecanismo dinamico. Gracias a estas opciones innovadoras modernas, es posible minimizar considerablemente las vibraciones, el sonido y la tension sobre los soportes, prolongando la duracion de elementos costosos.

    Asimismo trascendental es el rol que desempenan los aparatos de balanceo en la soporte al comprador. El ayuda profesional y el soporte regular usando estos aparatos facilitan proporcionar servicios de excelente excelencia, aumentando la contento de los usuarios.

    Para los titulares de proyectos, la aporte en estaciones de equilibrado y medidores puede ser importante para aumentar la rendimiento y productividad de sus dispositivos. Esto es particularmente relevante para los emprendedores que administran reducidas y pequenas negocios, donde cada aspecto importa.

    Asimismo, los dispositivos de balanceo tienen una extensa implementacion en el sector de la proteccion y el gestion de nivel. Facilitan detectar potenciales errores, impidiendo reparaciones onerosas y danos a los dispositivos. Mas aun, los informacion generados de estos sistemas pueden utilizarse para mejorar procesos y incrementar la presencia en sistemas de busqueda.

    Las areas de uso de los dispositivos de ajuste incluyen multiples sectores, desde la elaboracion de vehiculos de dos ruedas hasta el seguimiento del medio ambiente. No importa si se trata de enormes producciones industriales o limitados locales hogarenos, los sistemas de balanceo son indispensables para asegurar un funcionamiento optimo y sin presencia de fallos.

    Reply

  375. I was skeptical not far from CBD at first, but after trying them like https://joyorganics.com/collections/delta-9-gummies , I’m exceptionally impressed. They offer a commodious and enjoyable technique to take CBD without any hassle. I’ve noticed a calming force, remarkably in the evenings, which has helped with both weight and sleep. The finery some is the pre-measured dosage, so there’s no guessing involved. If you’re looking on the side of an unhurried and yummy course of action to encounter CBD, gummies are unquestionably benefit considering—just make unwavering to secure from a reputable sort!

    Reply

  376. CBD products present a expedient and enjoyable way to experience the effects of this compound. These gummies put in an appearance in distinct flavors, potencies, and formulations, providing users with controlled dosing and long-lasting effects. Many consumers cherish them championing moderation, stress relief. However, it’s prominent to annihilate them responsibly, as effects may take longer to recoil in compared to smoking or vaping. Usually voucher dosage guidelines and ensure compliance with local laws in the forefront purchasing or consuming.

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Fifinemaoi Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *