Journalism for Human rights

           We human beings often speak about our rights but we never think what exactly these rights are. Every person has his obligations and rights. We always forget about obligations and fight for rights. There is only need to understand province of human rights.

Human rights are pristine to all human beings, no matter from which religion, region or territory we belong to. There is equality instead of discrimination. Within framework of Indian constitution we all are equal and should be treated equally and with dignity. Every person has self-esteem and he never tolerate if someone insult it. Obligations and rights are two parallel terms rather two sides of a coin. Every person should practice his obligations and raise the voice for rights.

Vinita Deshmukh the well-known RTI activist says, “we look for someone other to fight for our rights. We never muster up the courage to speak about illegal, unethical and immoral things which have been happening everywhere.” We always look for a famous personality to speak on behalf of society. Nowadays social media is a big platform for citizens to raise their questions and put their demands nevertheless, they are not enough aware about rights. It’s an interesting to see the correlation between two terms journalism and human rights.

Lakshmi Narayan Tripathi

Lakshmi Narayan Tripathi famous transgender activist has been fighting for the rights of transgender community. United Nations Human Rights states that we all are equal whatever our nationality, religion, sex, language or any other status nevertheless, Lakshmi Tripathi has been struggling for rights. Here is the actual failure of theoretical definitions and practical executions. This shows how people are unaware of Human rights. She has written the autobiography which contained struggle of the Hijra community for life. She raised the voice for her community and self-esteem. To put her demands she has been using a media, which is mode of communication. Many news channels have been covered stories on Lakshmi Narayan Tripathi and Hijra Community. Journalist have written many articles, news stories on struggle of this Transgender activist. Journalism is the only way you can put your ideas, thoughts, problems, and claim before the masses.

Journalism for human rights is the new concept which has not been practiced in India so far. How will it be possible to write consistently on Human rights? There are many other issues, news stories to cover. These are the common obstacles for this unique concept. There are few personalities who always work for betterment of society and make them aware of Human rights. Retired Police officer Avinash Mokashi is one of those extraordinary people. He was the student of journalism before he joined Maharashtra Police. Activism in Human rights is his post retirement crotchet.

America’s Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said he would build a wall along the border to restrict the entry of immigrants. It’s an international issue but what Trump has said is against humanity. President Barak Obama also trashed Donald Trump’s plan to build a wall. Many Journalist have written on this burning issue which proved that Journalism is the unique tool to speak on violation of Human rights.

According to The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we have 30 basic human rights which are created by United Nations.

1.     Don’t discriminate

2.     The right to live in freedom and safety

3.     No torture

4.     Freedom to move

5.     No unfair detainment and many more…

Related to the fifth right that is no unfair detainment, Advocate Ganesh Sovani practicing in Mumbai high court has written one article. The article was about Malegav bomb blast accused Sadhwi Pragya who has been given clean chit by the agency. He has written on unfair detainment and violation of Human rights as she was tortured mentally and psychologically. Name of the article is ‘What about the years wasted in prison?’ This is one of the examples of Journalism for human rights.

Every citizen should understand the need to speak against the violation of Human rights and every budding journalist should aware of effective impact of writing on these issues because human rights issues are more newsworthy than in the past.

Changing Trends in World Cinema

           July 7 marks the birth of Indian cinema, The Lumiere Brothers the most well-known cinematographers from Paris showcased six films in Mumbai. It was the cornerstone for Indian cinema, as we know the changed format of it today. Indian people were not aware of film making, eventually got inspired by these two personalities.  Aashay film club of Pune had organised the lecture of Mr. Ganesh Matkari (film critic) on ‘Changing trends in world cinema.’ It was a coincidence, they achieved on 7 July 2016 at National Film Archive of India.

Mr. Matkari started his lecture with major elaboration of Lumiere Brothers and George Millers films and showed those six films; ‘Arrival of a train, Leaving the factory, the sea Bath and A Demolition’ of the Lumiere Brothers. One and half – two minutes films grabbed the attention of audience towards motion picture which is first step of film making. The Lumiere Brothers films are basically documentation where he shot the real life moments. In one of their films, they portrayed very simple concept rather incident of having lunch with little girl, Whereas George Melies shot movies based on storytelling.

National Film Archive of India

Province of world cinema and its incidence often boggle the mind. According to Americans, The Cinema apart from English language is world cinema, whereas Indians assume Hollywood cinema is world cinema. Hollywood cinema is a part of World cinema. World cinema comprises every movie. For Indians, Hollywood movies, Iran movies, Chinese movies, Japanese movies are included in world cinema category, whereas for Americans it is apart from English, for Chinese people it is apart from their own cinema.

After the end of World War 2, audiences showed interest in crime and adult movies eventually, Film makers grabbed the opportunity and various movies related to those areas of interest were released. That gave birth to a new movement of film making called as Film Noir. Those film were shot in black and white to show the tangled nature of the subject. The locution intrinsically used by French critics for Crime thriller Movies. ‘ The strange Loves of Martha, The Hitch-Hiker, Pickup on South Street, Odd man out,  Nightmare Alley, Murder My sweet and Crime wave etc. are included in Film Noir Category.

American Artist Andy Warhol was a famous person in an artistic field. His ‘Blue’ movie faced many controversies before release. It was an adult movie and after much criticism, name had been changed to Blue. Maya Deren and Alexander Hammid’s ‘Meshes of the afternoon’ was significant because of its cultural, aesthetic and historical values. Before sunrise, Before Sunset and Before Midnight are included in Richard Linklater series of love and emotional drama films. First movie of this series released in 1995, followed by romantic drama film Before Sunset released in 2004 further, in 2013 Before Midnight was released.

               It’s a new experiment and absorbing thing is that, all the three movies starred Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy. Transformation in face cut, expressions, body language of the characters, every aspect is remarkable.

Neo realism is a combination of fiction and documentary. Films were shot with scarcity in equipment’s and studio. Naturalness, truth and authenticity are the characteristics of Neorealism. It’s a distinct genre, portrayed social and historical reality by practicing documentary style cinematography. ‘Ossessione, Toni ,Bicycle Thieves, Paisa, Lowly city, Drunken Angel, Tokyo story ,Death of cyclist, Salaam Bombay, American me, Satya, Rosetta’ etc., were embodied in Neorealism.

Jump cut was the unique editing style applied by French new wave. It is the explosion of innovations, distinct ideas, realistic concepts, factual stories. The term new wave was coined by critics for a bunch of a French directors or film makers. The directors of French new wave often created jump cut while editing to give it realistic matrix. They replaced the studio light with natural light and decided to shoot on real location instead of well-equipped studio. They recorded natural sound and did not apply any correction methodology. After the end of World War II, An economic condition of France was weak and lack of money was available to invest in films. Hence, Directors of the movie decided to shoot on real locations, homes and apartments rather, preferred friends and relatives as a cast. ‘ Breathless, Shoot the piano player, Lola,  Adieu Philippine, Cleo from 5 to 7, Le Mepris,  Claire’s Knee etc.’ are included in French New wave’s films.

             

             Similar to French new wave, Iranian new wave was also a novel trend began in the world cinema. Reason behind it was a queer progress in social, political and cultural fields. Characteristics of Iranian new wave were ‘non-realistic characters, modern effects, narrative experimentation and intellectual and political influence.’ ‘The Cow, Qaysar and Calm in front of others’ those three films enriched a quaint character of cultural cinema. It fostered the expectations of viewers because they got bored of FILMFARSI (vulgar movies).

American Independent cinema is apart from Hollywood cinema and their studios. The films have been produced, distributed and released independently. Unique vision of artist and low budget are distinct features of it. Films have been showcased in film festivals. ‘Mean Streets, Reservoir Dogs, The Terminator, Blood Simple, Slacker, Drugstore Cowboy, Blue Velvet, Short Cuts, Runway train, etc.’ are included in this category.

There is need to understand the evolution and changing trends in world cinema. Cinema is a virtual world albeit, it’s a reflection of a real world. It has been evolved with respect to social and political movements. It portrays the emotions, shades, situations, mentality, reality and every minute shred of society. No doubt it’s a tool of entertainment nevertheless, it presents past and present time along with a gleam of future.