Alyque Padamsee Movies
- 2000
Director Steve York argues in this documentary that non-violent political movements have been the most formative tool to effect political change during the 20th century. The film opens with Mohandas Gandhi's colossal struggle against British colonialism. Using footage from old black and white newsreels, the film relays how Gandhi perfected his non-violent tactics in South Africa and used them with great effect in India. The second segment focuses on the American civil rights movement, focusing on Rev. James Lawson's struggle to reverse the segregation of Nashville's lunch counters using roughly the same methods as Gandhi. The final section outlines activist Mkhuseli Jack's non-violent attempts at ending apartheid in South Africa. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ben Kingsley, Alyque Padamsee, (more)
It was Richard Attenborough's lifelong dream to bring the life story of Indian political and spiritual leader Mahatma Gandhi to the screen. When it finally reached fruition in 1982, the 188-minute, Oscar-winning Gandhi was one of the most exhaustively thorough biopics ever made. The film begins in the early part of the 20th century, when Mohandas K. Gandhi (Ben Kingsley), a British-trained lawyer, forsakes all worldly possessions to take up the cause of Indian independence. Faced with armed resistance from the British government, Gandhi adopts a policy of "passive resistance," endeavoring to win freedom for his people without resorting to bloodshed. In the horrendous "slaughter" sequence, more extras appear on screen than in any previous historical epic. The supporting cast includes Candice Bergen as photographer Margaret Bourke-White, Athol Fugard as General Smuts, John Gielgud as Lord Irwin, John Mills as the viceroy, Martin Sheen as Walker, Trevor Howard as Judge Broomfield, and, in a tiny part as a street bully, star-to-be Daniel Day-Lewis. Gandhi won eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Director. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ben Kingsley, Candice Bergen, (more)
