South Asian Film Festival 2023: All That Breathes

South Asian Film Festival of Montréal

All That Breathes

Documentary

Director: Shaunak Sen

The Opening Film

28 April, 2023

Auditorium de la Grande Bibliothèque, 7p.m.

This film is available for free on the opening night at the Grande Bibliothèque, 475 Boul. De Maisonneuve East, Montreal. It is an award-winner both at Cannes and Sundance film festivals, and it is also an Oscar nominee.

It is a remarkable film, featuring the total dedication of two Muslim brothers from Delhi, India to saving birds known as Black Kites. The filmography is quite remarkable. There are many sensitive special touches that reveal the humanity of the brothers’ spirit, and their total commitment and dedication to recognizing this bird as a form of life that merits an equal respect as all the creatures and people on the Earth that breath to live. There is a meditative aspect that enhances the comprehension of the general social surrounding where the brothers live, their meagre living conditions, especially in comparison to western countries. Also, the political turmoil that accompanies the film provides a more profound perspective and the understanding of the brothers' chosen path, and their total dedication to saving the birds.

The film also presents a wider panorama on other wild animals that struggle to survive in the overclouded multi-million city neighborhoods, and their need to adapt to people, noises and pollution.

All That Breathes raises many questions, not the last of them being the purpose of one’s life, and making a personal choice as what is more important: the life’s comforts or the dedication to the chosen path of saving one of the living species from all those that breath.

FEATURING:

NADEEM SHEHZAD AND MOHAMMAD SAUD

Former bodybuilders from the Chawri Bazar area of New Delhi, Nadeem Shehzad and his younger brother Mohammad Saud started treating black kites in 2003. Since then, they have together treated more than 20,000 injured birds. Nadeem was recently appointed as an Honorary Wildlife Warden of Delhi, and in 2021 spent three months in the U.S. for training with bird rescue organizations. Today, Nadeem and Saud continue to work tirelessly to treat black kites and other birds of prey through the organization they set up in 2010: Wildlife Rescue.

SALIK REHMAN

Salik Rehman joined Wildlife Rescue in January 2017. He has been an active volunteer at Wildlife Rescue since 2010 and has become an integral part of the organization in its many rescue and rehabilitation activities.

DIRECTOR: Shaunak Sen

For films' description and programing check the Festival's website.

For this article's dedicated internet address, click on the title above the very first photo.