Milestones of the film 'Shit' - Part I

1) The film recieved and shared best documentary award with 10 films given by Loins Club and Kanavu Film Magazine of Tirupur.
2) The Tamil alternate film magazine 'Nizhal' dismissed the film as sensational crap and asked what would be the treatment if the film is about one day at office of a sex worker. "Would the director show her sleeping with her customers?," the magazine asked.
3) The editor of 'Theemtharikida' a little magazine in Tamil, Mr.Jnani came forward to support the film and wrote a cover story appreciating the treatment of the film and the social commitment of the director. He also criticised the review given by Nizhal by asking them to be sensitive and open to such new efforts.
4)The film recieved and shared the best documentary award given by Arumbu Puthaga Nilayam of Sivagangai. The award was presented by the Tamil film director Mr.Thangar Batchaan.
5) The film became an instant hit after the review it recieved in 'theemtharikida' as film circles, human rights groups and educational institutions started buying and screening the film regularly.
6) Aadhi Tamilar Peravai(ATP), a political movement working for rights of Arundhatiyars took the film seriously and started screening regularly.
7) ATP screened the film extensively among Arundhatiyars themselves to mobilise them for the conference on 'Abolition of Manual Scavenging' at Coimbatore.
8) ATP also invited the filmmaker to shoot and organise a photo exhibition on manual scavenging during the same conference. The exhibition was well appreciated by the participants of the conference as people wept after looking at the photographs.
9) 'Senthamilnadenum Pothinile' a music video on manual scavenging was released by Kolathur Mani at the same conference.
10)Although the meeting was attended by leaders who believe in Tamil nationalism,the music video which used the famous song 'Senthamilnadenum Pothinile' by bharathiyar.

Impact of the film 'Shit'

1) The street that is shown in the film full of shit is shut down.
2) Mariyammal, the protogonist of the film has been transferred to sweeping job.
3) The film is being screened in over 500 places in Tamilnadu by film circles, dalit groups, educational institutions and human rights groups.
4) The film has been embraced by Aathi Tamilar Peravai, a political movement working with Arundhatiyars in Tamilnadu and has become part of their campaign against manual scavenging both within and outside Tamilnadu.
5) The film also shook the Madurai municipal corporation that eventually brought in better infrastructure in maintanence and use of public toilets in Madurai.

Shit - the documentary

Shit

Original name: Pee (in Tamil)
Duration: 26 minutes
Year of completion: 2003
Language: Tamil with English subtitles
Format: Mini DV
Form: Documentary

Synopsis:

Mariyammal, a dalit (untouchable or harijan or scheduled caste) is a worker with Madurai Municipal Corporation in Madurai, South India. She is involved in manual scavenging activity – which still prevails in India - and is in the payroll of the Government of Tamilnadu.

The film shot while she was at work, shows the extent of humiliation she goes through everyday for 25 years. She sweeps, collects and carries the night soil in a street adjacent to a Hindu temple, with help of a broom, a vessel and some ash every morning without fail.

The film uses a lot of symbols to bring out the discrimination she experiences while others lead a life with dignity around her.

The film has no voice over per se. It has no music. It also does not have an activist or an expert but Mariyammal and her work.

Festivals and awards:

Tirupur video festival, Tamilnadu 2004(awards shared)
Sivagangai video competion, Tamilnadu 2004 (awards shared)
Jeevika 2004, New Delhi
One Billion Eyes – Indian Documentary Festival, Chennai 2005 (best film award)
Guangzhou International Documentary Film Festival 2005, China
Mumbai International Film Festival 2006(National Jury Award)
VIBGYOR Documentary and Short Film Festival 2006 (Best Documentary Film)

Vandhe Mataram - A Shit Version (Annexure to the documentary “Shit”)
6 minutes; Hindi; 2005

The music video juxtaposes the “patriotic” song with visuals of various activities of manual scavenging that still takes place in Tamilnadu.

Festivals:
VIBGYOR Documentary and Short Film Festival 2006, Tirussur
SIGNS Documentary and Short Film Festival 2006, Thiruvananthapuram
3 Screens at Indian Social Forum 2006, New Delhi
Peace Film Festival 2006, Mumbai
Film South Asia 2007, Kathmandu