Nero's Guests

Poignant. Focused. 'Relevant'*

If for nothing else, but sheer humanity. I have never seen a more soul-stirring ending.

A wonderfully crafted documentary by Ms. Deepa Bhatia (of Taare Zameen Par and Stanley Ka Dabba fame), skillfully capturing the nuances of Sainath's (Rural Affairs Editor, The Hindu) resourcefulness.

The originality lies not in the content but the treatment. Perhaps, as a mark of shame, we might not be able to distinguish between the two.

Note: *Relevance shall be dictated by your own conscience. Mine urged me to write it. I shall wait for yours?

This documentary places the 1991 liberalization of India, Monsanto and BT cotton issues, the growing of sugarcane, the hype about wines from Nashik, the growing costs of food in India, the increasing numbers of farmer suicides 9numbering 250, 000 in 2009 and around 350,000 in 2018), the role of the Indian media in keeping this hidden and the growing angst among Indian people in perspective. I highly recommend this touching yet hard hitting film to anyone connected with India, to understand what is truly happening in the country in its people's most basic necessity.

Note: The name "Nero's guests" refers to Tacitus's accounts of Nero's inept administration skills and his setting fire to poor and marginalized people (they would often be labeled "Christians' at that time) in order to provide lighting to his guests in his garden parties, as well as making them feud with dogs for the entertainment of these 'guests'. It asks we the people whether we want to choose to be silent "Nero's guests" apathetic and thus supportive in our silence to what is being done (by multi national corporations, national and state level governments and local money lenders) to the farmers of India.

This is something which give feeling of poverty.the poverty existing in india and how the people managing the their expenes without getting proper wages and foods .This documentary help to learn what are problems faced by farmers in india.

A must watch documentary which you will never forget!! It is not just a documentary but an classic piece of art. The last 'join the club' and switching off bulb scene touches you somewhere deep. The poetry made by farmers is used at perfect spaces and become very influential. This has always been one of my favorite documentary. It leaves huge impact every time I watch the documentary. Words of Sainath are harsh sometimes but he brings out many of the open secrets in his unique style. After watching this documentary I have read book Everybody loves good drought and I was stunned. The amount of research Sainath does and his dedication is superb. His ability to go to the depth and bring the truth is amazing! Great job Ms. Bhatia and Sainath sir. Salute!