Douglas Beck

The Best of the Best

Mairi Kidd, Douglas Beck

Patterned artwork designed and painted by Gondi artists in tribal India is brought to life in this highly decorative film which tells the story of a vain mouse who considers herself to be the best of the best and hence deserving of the best of the best in all things. Her well-meaning friend the wagtail takes her demands literally and tries to satisfy the greedy mouse’s every whim with disastrous consequences for the mouse. Traditional Gondi Song sung by Pardhan Gonds from Bhopal. The sacred fiddle - the Bana played by a Pardhan Gond musician and recorded in Pantagarh.

The Pot of Gold

Leslie MacKenzie, Nitin Donde

Maighread Domhnallach Loffan, Mairi MacPherson

Life seems unfair in the Worli villiage where the husband works away at his paintings while his young wife does everything else. As her frustration rises he tries to convince her that God is the ultimate provider. Her doubts are only overcome when the pot full of gold that she finds in the forest is miraculously delivered to the young couples’ house. 2D white figures on Terracotta backgrounds in traditional Worli Tribal painting style. Sound track by Lokham, Gautam and Uttam the famous Baul Brothers from Bengal.