May 14
International Film Forum: PARTNERS IN CRIME
Paromita Vohra, 2013, India, 96 min.
Paromita Vohra, Lindesmith Lecturer in South Asian Studies - introduced by Arnab Chakladar
“Partners in Crime deals with questions about the nature of the piracy problem and how it breeds among the broader population. Piracy is a big problem for India’s media and entertainment industry. According to a 2010 report by Ernst & Young, copyright infringement causes $4 billion in losses every year. Ms. Vohra’s film also addresses the debate about the line between inspiration and plagiarism. ‘It is a stereotype if one receives the issue of copyright and piracy as only a legal and technical one. The question is “do we need art” and if we do, then how we get that art is as much important as enjoying it,’ Ms. Vohra said. […] Voices in the Indian film and music industry are growing louder in the fight against copyright infringement, but Ms. Vohra noted that ‘often the same industry that accuses consumers of piracy is the biggest pirate.’ […] She also lamented the way artists are treated in an industry ruled by money. ‘The industry has a very feudal attitude in which our artists are treated. A song belongs to all involved in the making of the song and not just to one person or one company.’” (Diksha Sahni, The Wall Street Journal)