Water [Film and TV Commentary]

In India in the 1930s, women had no human rights and freedoms, and they only existed as appendages of men. The 8-year-old girl Chuya (played by Sarala) became a widow early. She was forced to shave her hair and spend the rest of her long life in a courtyard specially prepared for widows. In this courtyard, there live young women who look like fairies in the sky, haggard old men half buried in the loess, and unruly women who are deliberately trying to make ill-gotten gains. What will happen to Chuya tomorrow? What will be the future of the miserable woman? This film is the third part of Indian female director Deepa Mehta's "Elements Trilogy". It won the Best Film at the 2006 Bangkok International Film Festival; the Best Cinematography, Best Soundtrack and Best Actress at the 2006 Canadian Genie Awards (Seema Biswas) three awards; 2006 US National Film Critics Award for Best Performance; 2005 Valyadori International Film Festival Youth Jury Award; 2006 Vancouver Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress (Lisa Ray) and Best Director Award; 2007 Young Artist Award for Best Young Actor (Sarala)