Manthan
The title of the Indian film Manthan is often rendered in English as The Churning – not some psychological state of distress but actual physical churning. As in rich, creamy milk into butter and whey. Because this is a film about the setting up of a milk co-operative, financed by the dairy farmers it’s all about. Before you doomscrool away, it’s a fascinating film, from its unique opening title card – “500,000 Farmers of Gujarat present… Manthan” – to its triumphant conclusion. Along the way there is triumph over adversity and collective action prevailing over greedy self-interest in what’s essentially an underdog story playing out under the umbrella of benign government intervention. How far away we … Read more