Sapan News The Pulitzer Center-supported documentary ‘Democracy in Debt: Sri Lanka Beyond the Headlines’ will be screened in Washington DC on Oct. 29, as part of the second phase of Global Community Screenings.
The first phase, which concluded recently, marked a significant step in fostering international dialogue on democracy, governance, and socio-political accountability.
The 25-minute documentary contrasts the voices of rural Sri Lankans with policymakers in Colombo, exploring the implications of the country’s 2022 economic collapse.
Volunteers from the Southasia Peace Action Network, or Sapaners, around the globe as well as film and democracy lovers have been organising the screening events in collaboration with Beena Sarwar, director of the film and founder-editor of Sapan News.
The aim is to create spaces for community viewing where friends, families, and broader communities can watch and discuss the film together.
“In today’s world, most people consume media on their phones or laptops, often alone. I wanted this documentary to bring people together, build a sense of solidarity, and spark discussion on issues of governance, democracy, and accountability,” Sarwar said.
Resonated
The documentary has resonated far beyond Sri Lanka, with nearly 50 screenings in 14 countries across five continents. From bustling urban venues to intimate community gatherings, the screenings have sparked critical conversations on governance, transparency, and democracy.
The film’s universal relevance was highlighted as audience members from diverse backgrounds, including economists, journalists, activists, and global democracy experts, engaged in meaningful discussions, drawing parallels between Sri Lanka’s struggles and those faced by other nations. This diverse audience engagement underscores the documentary’s ability to spark discourse among a wide range of individuals.
Community-led screenings around the globe, followed by spirited discussions, have amplified the film’s impact.
In the Netherlands, Sapan working group member Saifullah Saify organised a public viewing at the City Council of Franeker, attracting over 40 participants.
The film’s Pakistani premiere at The Second Floor popularly known as T2F in Karachi, with economist Dr Kaiser Bengali and filmmaker Aisha Gazdar, was followed by a screening at Lahore’s Alhamra Arts Council where human rights activist Salima Hashmi introduced the documentary. In Islamabad, economists, journalists, and activists including the respected former Senator Farhatullah Babar, attended a screening at The Black Hole, underscoring the importance of democratic resilience.
The film has also gained traction in academic circles. Coventry University’s Centre for Peace and Security hosted a screening at their Monthly Governance meeting, attended by global democracy experts. This was followed by an animated discussion on the relevance of the film’s themes to policymaking. There have been screenings followed by engaged discussions at Emerson College, Boston, with Dr. Nejem Raheem, and at Tufts University with Dr. Ayesha Jalal and Dr. Sugata Bose.
The impact of ‘Democracy in Debt’ has also been felt in smaller, community-driven screenings, highlighting the grassroots nature of the film’s success.
The momentum continued with public screenings in Dhaka, Bangladesh, at the Drik Picture Library and in Jaipur, India, with the involvement of Sapan advisors Shahidul Alam and Kavita Srivastava respectively. Delhi saw a public screening facilitated by the respected activist Harsh Mander, as well as events at two communications colleges organised by the actor Imran Zahid. Sapan News advisor Kanak Mani Dixit spearheaded a screening in Kathmandu.
Essential discussions
The support and engagement from the Southasian community have underscored the film’s ability to foster essential discussions on democracy, governance, and accountability in the region. The film’s ability to foster these essential discussions highlights its significance in the current socio-political landscape.
Across the globe, attendees appreciated ‘Democracy in Debt’ for its nuanced approach to highlighting Sri Lanka’s socio-political issues. Activist and Sapan advisor Lalita Ramdas, who participated in a screening in Hyderabad, India, organised by Mazher Hussain of the Confederation of Voluntary Associations, noted how the film poignantly connected the struggles of rural Sri Lankans with the broader challenges facing democracies worldwide.
Many viewers expressed a renewed understanding of the dangers of fiscal mismanagement and the need for greater accountability in governance. Prominent Sri Lankan commentator Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka, attending the premiere in Colombo City Center ahead of Sri Lanka’s presidential elections, remarked that the documentary shed light on key issues surrounding the island’s political and economic crisis. He urged the presidential candidates to view the film.
As highlighted by Nusrat Khwaja in her review for Dawn, the documentary serves as both a sociological and philosophical inquiry into the modern reality of a formerly colonised nation-state. Through its “emic” approach, giving “preference to the point of view of the interlocutor”, the film engages viewers in a non-judgmental partnership, illuminating the intricate challenges Sri Lankan society faces.
With discussions continuing to unfold globally, Democracy in Debt stands as a lens through which to understand not only the complexities of Sri Lanka’s democratic journey but also the broader implications for democracy across Southasia.
Prominent economist Dr Jayati Ghosh, formerly with Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, currently teaching at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst will be a discussant at the screening in Washington DC. The event is organised by activist and Sapaner Zaineb Majoka who runs Bol, a worker owned bookstore. Details and RSVP at this link.
Those interested in hosting further screenings can sign up through this online form.
Pragyan Srivastava is an Indian journalist who recently obtained her master’s in communications at Rutgers University as a Fulbright-Nehru Master’s scholar. With extensive experience in digital storytelling, social media, and television production, she is passionate about creating authentic and powerful stories about Southasia*, aiming to foster understanding and connection through compelling narratives.