project details

The Bleeding Tides is a powerful narrative that sheds light on the intersection of climate change and women’s health in the cyclone capital of India, the Sundarbans. Climate change impacts men and women differently. The impact of climate change on women in Sundarbans is multifaceted and complex. One of the lesser-known impacts is on the menstrual and reproductive health of women, who are disproportionately affected by increased salinity in the region. The film reveals how the lack of safe water for drinking, sanitation and hygiene, along with the lack of livelihood options and limited healthcare access, has triggered a public health crisis in this region.

Outcome

Presenting the various lived experiences of women from the island villages of Patharpratima & Gosaba blocks, which are some of the worst affected villages of climate change, the film is rapidly becoming a powerful advocacy tool. It had its world premiere at the 10th World Water Forum in Bali, Indonesia on 22nd May 2024. It had a ceremonial release by Hon Jeevan Thondaman, Minister of Water Supply, Sri Lanka and Changhua Wu, Chair of the Governing Council of the Asia-Pacific Water Forum (APWF). It was received with a standing ovation and several delegates from across the world have applauded its messaging. The film is due to travel through a variety of gender and climate change film festivals and conferences through the coming year.

credits

Directed by: Ipshita Bhattacharyya
Producer: Pragati Mandotra
Cinematography: Nitin Kumar
Camera Assist: Nishikant Sahu
Edit & Sound Design: Niladri Bhattacharji

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services

End to End Production

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client

SaciWATERs, the South Asia Consortium for Interdisciplinary Water Resources Studies, is a policy research institute based in Hyderabad, India. From its inception in 2001, it has focused on critical issues related to water resources management in south Asia. A key endeavour at SaciWATERs has been to enhance the dominant water resources management paradigm in the region with a consideration of all issues using a pro-poor human development approach. The emphasis is on the accumulation of new knowledge through a combination of research, capacity building, and advocacy.