Film: While We Watched

Today, I signed up for the Epic Film Location London Tour Part 1, with London Socials, a new group to me. Interestingly, yesterday, the guide warned us that he wouldn't be answering any "silly" questions. Err..?! Someone asked what the pace would be - he never answered. (Is that a "silly" question?) Anyway, with his repeated instructions to read the instructions carefully, I had a good, close read today. And what I discovered was that he wasn't even necessarily going to tell us about what we were seeing! He said he "might" bring up points of interest, or the history of things. Nuts to that.. not to mention he suggested socialising afterwards "if there was anywhere convenient"! I decided not to go. So, the cinema beckoned. Had to do the film list - and by the time I did, joint top of the list that I'd be interested in, and still had time to go to, sounded really interesting. While We Watched is the story of Indian journalist Ravish Kumar, and his stand against extremism in the Indian elections. And yay, it's showing in the Curzon Bloomsbury..

Which meant an excuse to go to GBK. Last time I was here I was much the worse for wear, and couldn't do it justice - very different this time, where I polished it off with time to spare! Yum.. and so to the cinema. By the time I got in, the trailers had started - just as well I'd chosen an aisle seat. Actually, someone had their stuff on my seat - and rather than plonk myself beside someone else, I sat in the seat in front. Which, mind you, eventually had someone sitting beside it as well - this was quite well-attended.

This is one of those inspirational films that really remind me of what I consider important. I have a friend who's half-Indian, and hasn't a good word to say about Modi - and on the basis of this, I'd have to agree with him. I've always heard Modi was ultra-conservative - in this film, if not him directly, his adherents certainly come across as far-right:

• Suppression of alternate opinions
• Suppression of the free press - Kumar's channel is taken off the air. The directors are ultimately arrested.
• Identity politics - people are condemned for being "anti-Nationalist"
• Death threats against Kumar, and constant phone harassment
• Mob rule, and the ignoring of crimes committed against "dissenters"

It's a slippery slope. It became comical, over the course of the film, to watch leaving party after leaving party, each accompanied by a different chocolate cake - so many people felt unable to continue with the station, considering the pressure it was under. Fair play to that man who rejected a 40% pay hike at another station, because he believed in what he was doing!

It was scary to watch the histrionics of the pro-Modi tv presenters, yelling insults at anyone they thought might be on the other side. It's scary to think that that is taken seriously as a news programme. They call India the "world's largest democracy" - but for how much longer? because this isn't how a developed democracy behaves. Well, as Kumar says after Modi wins a landslide victory (there were, of course, allegations of vote-rigging) - you have the country you wanted. Good luck with it..

Tomorrow, another new group - London Circus Cabaret and Burlesque Meetup is headed to Fool's Moon, a drag circus act at Soho Theatre. Meeting beforehand at the Nellie Dean - aw man, it's ages since I was at these places! Several have signed up now.. and, having bought a ticket, I'll go to this one!

On Thursday, London Baroque Music Lovers again showed an unerring instinct for hitting a day I didn't have anything booked! So I'm going with them to a concert (& social) called Handel: Abandonment Issues, at the Foundling Museum. Tickets from Eventbrite, with a discount for people booking through the group!

On Friday - the advantage of unemployment, I can go on weekday walks with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners! This one, he can't do on weekends anyway - it's The Labyrinth of the Law Courts Walking Tour, and - predictably - full up.

That evening, off with my Up in the Cheap Seats companion to Prom 9: Mariza Sings Fado, at the Albert Hall. We're eating beforehand at the Elgar Room, in the Albert Hall - a first for me, so should be interesting!

The weekend is all about walking. On Saturday, back with London Herstory Guided Walks, Mandy taking us on a walk entitled Bow Belles! A Guided Walk through Bow Quarter.

And on Sunday, I'm with London History and Culture: Experience London/Britain/Europe, for In the Footsteps of the Tudors - Free In-Person Guided Walking Tour with Maggie. Another new group for me.