IndiePix Acquires Documentary Film Bhopali

Bookmark and Share

Mon, 05/30/2011 - 20:00 -- Nick Dager

IndiePix has acquired the distribution rights to Bhopali the award winning and much applauded documentary film directed by Van Maximilian Carlson. Bhopali is the story of the survivors of the world’s worst industrial disasters the 1984 gas leak from a Union Carbide-owned and operated plant in Bhopali India. Shortly after midnight on December 3 1984 nearly 40 metric tons of toxic methyl isocyanate gas leaked into the atmosphere and was carried by the wind to the residential communities comprising the city of Bhopal in Central India. Over 25 000 people have died from causes directly related to this event which killed thousands in the pre-dawn hours immediately after the horrific leak and many thousands more continuously for the next 27 years from the lingering effects of extensive ground and air pollution in the immediate area. Spokespersons for the community say that about 100 thousand people who were exposed to the gas and environmental contamination continue to suffer and die today from afflictions that range from cancer blindness and birth defects. Recently the Supreme Court of India dismissed a government plea for stiffer sentencing for seven Indian citizens who were employees who were in management and supervisory positions at the time. As reported by Reuters the seven employees had earlier been sentenced to two years imprisonment by a lower court sparking outrage across the country and forcing the government to seek a tougher penalty on grounds of homicide. Attempts to hold Union Carbide its successor corporations and its global management responsible for the consequences and liabilities of this disaster have continuously failed. Union Carbide claims to have settled claims with the Indian government. The corporation divested itself of its Indian operations before being acquired by Dow Chemicals. Bob Alexander president of IndiePix says This film is of striking relevance today not only for the continuing inattention and suffering that is the legacy of this disaster but for the fundamental questions of corporate responsibility liability and governance that it so bluntly raises. We are pleased to have the opportunity to present such an important film of such timely significance. The film premiered this year at Slamdance where it promptly took top honors claiming both the Audience Award and Best Documentary Feature. It has since screened across the country and garnered critical acclaim including Jo Leyndon of Variety Magazine who called Bhopali Intimate…Heart-Wrenching…(and) Impressively polished. IndiePix will be distributing the film theatrically this fall and handling distribution for home video DVD digital broadcast and new media throughout the United States and Canada. The deal was negotiated by Mark DeFrancis of IndiePix Films and Marcus Fishman of Advance Talent Management. IndiePix www.indiepixfilms.com