Deepa Mehta's epic tale of the
religious and civil wars that took place in India and Pakistan in
the 1947 battle to gain independence from the British. EARTH is
the second movie in a trilogy, preceded by FIRE (1996) and
followed by WATER (2001). The story is told through the eyes of a
little girl, Lenny (Maia Sethna), who has one leg in a brace. The
impediment keeps Lenny from being very active, so she spends her
time sitting and talking with her loving nanny, Shanta (Nandita
Das), whose beauty attracts a following of about six male
friends. Lenny absorbs the conversations around her between
Shanta's suitors and Lenny's parent's varied group of friends.
The debates about the future, including a litany of stereotypes,
become more and more heated. Finally, Lenny watches as the
warring begins. EARTH is an intense and moving film that
illustrates beautifully the terrifying political and cultural
atmosphere of 1947 India.
