Mangalore, September 10: Everything is moving, just like the earth. If the earth was static, then ropes were required to hold it still – is brought out marvellously in the film, 'Where the Green Ants Dream', screened for the public by Ellipses, the film club of the Department of Mass Communication, St. Aloysius College, here on Saturday.
The movie directed by Werner Herzog of Germany portrays the dispute between the mining company who intends to start an Uranium extraction in an area covered by ant hills in Australia and the aborigines with the belief that this particular area is the place where the ants dream.
Lance Hackett, the geologist employed by the mining company to test the soil for the extraction is in a fix as the aborigines very adamantly state that destroying these ant hills will destroy humanity and cause destruction in the land. They show their disapproval by singing, dancing and sitting in that land inspite of the tractor moving towards them.
As the movie progresses the turmoil between the two parties increases. Meanwhile, the mining company tries to convince the aborigines by offering various solutions in terms of money and other source of revenue. They also try to grant certain benefits to them. But it is all in vain.
Two aborigines are then taken on a visit to the city where they come across a military aeroplane and express desire to own it. The mining company sensing that this might be a way to get their way through the deal buy an aeroplane for the aborigines.
Despite the deal, there is further clash between the two sides resulting in the matter going to the Supreme Court of the commonwealth. The arguments from both the sides are heard in the presence of experts.
The mining company finally wins the case. This is followed by a moment of panic when two aborigines, by themselves, take the aeroplane which contains very little fuel. The movie ends on a sad note as the aborigines helplessly witness their land being destroyed.
Following the film screening, the students and lecturers discussed and analysed the film. The use of sound, music, expressions, signs and symbols in the film were the main topics of discussion. Public, students and lecturers were present at the movie screening.
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