India, 2002
Length / War and Peace: 134 minutes
Length /Special feature: 48 minutes
Sound: Mono (restored)
Colour and Black & White
Original aspect ratio:
1.33:1 full frame
Languages: English, Hindi, Japanese, Marathi, Punjabi, Urdu.
Subtitles: English On/Off
PAL / DVD9
Region 0
RRP: £12.99
Release Date: 27 July 2015
Second Run DVD 094
Anand Patwardhan, one of India’s most respected documentarians, filmed War and Peace over four tumultuous years following nuclear arms testing in India and Pakistan. As the two nations rattled their sabres at each other, Patwardhan set out to explore the nationalist rhetoric that gripped the sub-continent, exposing the cynical manipulation of citizens in the name of national security.
This compelling film confronts the vested interests of global militarism, foreshadowing a world where war has become perennial, enemies are constantly re-invented and economies are inextricably linked to the production and sale of weaponry. Years on, War and Peace remains a startlingly relevant and potent film. It is a powerful exposé of how easily patriotism and religion can be corrupted into jingoism and violence - and a formidable argument for peace.
This world premiere home video release presents the film from a new director-approved digital transfer, and also includes a filmed interview with Anand Patwardhan, additional scenes and a booklet with new writings by filmmaker, curator and author Mark Cousins and philosopher, academic and author Akeel Bilgrami..
• Presented in a new digital transfer, approved by the director.
• Filmed interview with director Anand Patwardhan.
• A panel discussion and debate about the film – televised on Pakistan TV.
• Additional scenes as selected by the director.
• 16-page booklet featuring new writings by filmmaker, curator and author Mark Cousins and philosopher, academic and author Akeel Bilgrami.
• World premiere home video release.
Directed by Anand Patwardhan
Produced, Edited and Photographed by Anand Patwardhan
Sound - Simantini Dhuru, Monica Wahi, Vipin Bhati
Additional camera - Simantini Dhuru, Anil Mehta, Sanjay Kak, Mukul Kishore
Editing assistance - Monica Wahi, Simantini Dhuru, Sanjiv Shah
Technical assistance - Vipin Bhati, Sanjiv Shah
Production assistance - Monica Wahi, Simantini Dhuru,
Shashi Mehta
2002 Earth Vision Tokyo / Winner: Grand Prize
2002 Indian Documentary Producers Association / Winner: Grand Award
2002 Sydney International Film Festival / Winner: FIPRESCI Prize
2003 Karachi International Film Festival / Winner: Best Documentary
2004 National Film Awards, India / Winner: Best Non-Fiction Film
"A tour de force, beautifully shot and often darkly funny" Duncan Campbell, The Guardian
"It has a riveting intelligence all its own and earns its epic title" The New York Times
"Of immense interest and importance" Variety
"It should be seen by everyone, everywhere. In schools, in colleges, in factories, on television" The Times of India
"Perhaps the most important film at this year's Berlin Film Festival" Reuters (2002)