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The Fisherman and the Banker

Laurel -INTERNATIONAL_white_edited_edite

From the Sea to the Supreme Court: A Quest for Justice

"Moving and Necessary. A David-vs-Goliath story for an age that
desperately needs such stories."


- Yanis Varoufakis

Filmed over a decade, “the Fisherman and the Banker” is modern-day David and Goliath documentary that chronicles the struggle of a fishing community in India’s Gulf of Kutch who take on one of the world’s most powerful institutions, The World Bank Group, after it funded a coal-fired power plant on their coast. 

 

In Gujarat, the fishermen and their movement, MASS, have long been fighting against power plants that threaten their way of life. Then in 2015, they join forces with EarthRights International, a Washington DC-based NGO, and file a lawsuit against the World Bank’s private lending arm, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), after it provided a critical loan to the Tata Mundra power plant, despite recognising it as high risk project. As the legal challenge progresses to the US Supreme Court in 2018, the film documents the community’s pursuit of justice.

 

Through a poetic and observational lens, the film captures not just the legal battle but the profound connection between the community and their environment. Will these indomitable fishermen succeed in rewriting international law to protect their heritage and environment, or will the might of the IFC prevail?

Trailer
Press

Press

Explore the journey of The Fisherman and the Banker through press features, interviews, and reviews from some of the most respected outlets around the world. These pieces delve into the story of the Wagher fishing community, their incredible resilience, and their fight against global financial giants.

 

Articles & Reviews

 

Interviews

    •    Islam Channel - Salaam Britain: Director Sheena Sumaria talks about The Fisherman and the Banker

Screenings

Screenings

17 Feb 2024

Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, Missoula, USA

(official selection, nominated for best feature)

16 April 2024

Landmark's E Street Cinema, Washington DC, USA

Impact screening during 2024 World Bank Spring Meetings, organised by advocacy groups

26-31 July 2024

International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala,

Kerala, India (official selection)

14 & 15 Sep 2024 

The Garden Cinema, London
Book tickets here

25 Sep 2024

Islamic Human Rights Commission Bookshop, Wembley, London

Book tickets here

28 Sep, 2, 3, 6 and 8 Oct 2024

Bertha Dochouse, London

Book tickets here

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