A Perfect Chaos - The Dabbawalas Of Mumbai

Moving Images & Goethe-Zentrum Hyderabad are screening A Perfect Chaos - The Dabbawalas Of Mumbai, a film by Antje Christ. The movie will be followed by an interactive session with her, on 15th November at Prasad Labs Preview Theatre. The film will begin at 6pm.

German TV documentary director Antje Christ depicts Mumbai's intricate Dabbawala service. In a city of 60 million people, there are 5,000 Dabbawalas, only men, who deliver 200,000 meals daily - it is even more impressive to hear that a lunchbox is rarely lost. Spiritual sustenance is essential for Dabbawalas to survive the city. They are very proud of their work, and believe that serving food to others creates good karma. To become a Dabbawala, one must be sponsored, wear the simple white shirt and hat, and follow strict rules.

Through a combination of narrative and dialogue, the film tracks the complex system that is dependent on speed, organization and trains. The workers of Mumbai call the trains the city's 'life-line', while the Dabbawalas call it the 'food-line'. The film gives the viewer a sense of the lunch service's organized madness, with quick shots throughout the world's largest city.

The last quarter of the film follows the Dabbawalas on a colorful pilgrimage to the countryside, where some hope to return. The Dabbawalas have even gained much fame recently through visits from Prince Charles, Sir Richard Bronson, and with an appearance on the TV show, Search For India's Superstar.

The film runs for 43 minutes, after which there will be an interactive session with the director, Antje Christ. She will narrate her experiences during the making of the film, and will also answer questions posed by the audience.

Please contact 6552-6443 / 2324-1791 for further details.