ABOUT THE DOCUMENTARY

India has some of the world’s strictest gun laws. Yet, guns are extremely prevalent in our country, both legally and illegally - second only to the US in the number of privately owned fire-arms. Why so?

Point Blank takes a look at India’s relationship with guns and the various reasons people across the country own and use them - from the fear of crime in hotbeds of violence, to lawlessness run amok in ungoverned areas, and the symbolic value of gun-toting power. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with director Naman Saraiya and host Surabhi Tandon.

It traverses the heart of gun culture across Northern India and explores the diverse gun-owning demographic. It explores the prevalence of gun-worshipping ceremonies and shooting open fire at weddings, to the illegal crafting of kattas in desolate fields of Western UP and night-time exchanges with criminals who hold loaded guns, to visiting the historic lanes of licensed gun shops in Kanpur, and looking at why families consider it vital to pass down the culture of gun-use to their children. 

Point Blank, VICE World News' original series, examines gun ownership in the Asia-Pacific region, with episodes across India, Afghanistan, Thailand and Philippines.

ABOUT THE TEAM

Emmy-nominated filmmaker and journalist Steve Chao (@kungfu_photography) helms the project as series director, working hand-in-hand with local crews. The India episode is written-directed by Naman Saraiya (@namansaraiya), who doubles up as associate creative director to Chao across the series. Filmmaker-journalist Surabhi Tandon (@ihbarus) hosts the India episode.

SCREENING SCHEDULE

20th May, Friday / 7:30 PM

60m

Followed by a Q&A with director Naman Saraiya and host Surabhi Tandon.

The screening will take place at Harkat Studios.

ABOUT HARKAT STUDIOS

Harkat is an international boutique arts studio with a passion for film, new media, community art spaces and contemporary art. Based in Mumbai & Berlin, Harkat takes many forms and identities across disciplines & related creative industries. As an alternative performance & arts space, we have hosted more than 150 shows in the past year in the mediums of theatre, film, music, community projects & contemporary art. We support the new, unheard, upcoming, exciting, cutting edge, the political, the forgotten, nostalgic, melancholic, soul stirring, the beautiful & more. And that's what Harkat is. Harkat.