FINAL SOLUTION
Indien 2003 – Director: Rakesh Sharma – Original language: Gujarati, Hindi – Subtitles: English – Length: 218 min.
On February 27 in 2002, in the West Indian State Gujarat, a train carrying a group of Pilgrims was attacked. 59 Hindus burnt to death that day. Set in Gujarat between February 2002 and July 2003, the film examines the aftermath of the deadly violence that followed the attack. In “reaction” to that incident, some 2,500 Muslims were brutally murdered, hundreds of women raped, and more than 200,000 driven from their homes.
During a campaign, the Hindu nationalist Party BJP called the genocide “the success of Gujarat”. They achieved the absolute majority in the following elections.
Final Solution gives a thorough and convincing analysis of the political use of religious hate. In interviews, it deals with the trauma caused to the more than four million Muslims living in Gujarat. The many different voices present a complex image of the horrible events.
Final Solution is a winning argument against hate and violence: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” (George Santayana)
Silver award in the Best Documentary category at the 28th Hong Kong International Filmfestival 2004 (Humanitarian award for documentaries)
DOK.FEST 2004 Honorable Mention for Documentary Film Award of the Bavarian Broadcasting Corporation
Camera: Rakesh Sharma,Tanmay Aggarwal. Sound: Rakesh Sharma. Editing: Rakesh Sharma, Jabeen Merchant. Production: Rakesh Sharma. Producer: Rakesh Sharma. Distribution: Freunde der deutschen Kinemathek
