The Fisherman and the Banker
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?
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
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The Guardian: Documentary charts historic case of a community who sued arm of World Bank over a power plant’s impact on their lives
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The Guardian Review of The Fisherman and the Banker
Interviews
• Islam Channel - Salaam Britain: Director Sheena Sumaria talks about The Fisherman and the Banker
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