Event Description
The Fisherman and the Banker is a compelling multi-disciplinary documentary that chronicles a landmark battle for justice at the intersection of environmental activism, global finance, and human rights. Filmed over a decade, this modern-day David and Goliath story follows the Wagher fishing community in India’s Gulf of Kutch as they confront the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private lending arm of the World Bank, over the devastating impact of the Tata Mundra coal-fired power plant on their lives, environment, and cultural heritage.
Through close observation over 10 years, the documentary offers a rare, intimate look at a grassroots social movement in action. The film uncovers the insidious “divide and rule” tactics employed by corporations and financial institutions to weaken and disempower local movements, adding layers of complexity to the community’s fight for justice. The Wagher fishermen’s struggle reveals not only their deep connection to the environment but also the power of community organizing in the face of immense corporate and institutional pressure.
Event Information
Open to Columbia University ID holders; registration required. For more information, please email Anita Lam-Wright at [email protected].
Hosted by the Columbia Climate School.
