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A Film by Dharan Mandrayar |
IF YOU WANT TO
BE MOVED, INSPIRED, ENLIGHTENED AND MOTIVATED |
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POWERFUL PORTRAYALS MARK THIS FILM
'White
Rainbow' gives the clarion call.
TOUCHINGLY REALISTIC
SERIOUS
ATTEMPT TO PORTRAY THE PLIGHT OF WIDOWS ![]() |
NOW ON
DVD! EXCLUSIVE OFFER! ORDER TODAY TO SAVE 20% AND HAVE A PORTION OF THE PROCEEDS GO TO HELP WOMEN! (scroll down for details) ![]()
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A reading assignment brought home by our 12 year old son, about a young WIDOW in India, changed our lives forever. Reading that heart-breaking tale of how a young widow in India is stigmatized really shook our core. We were determined to help and bring about change to the out dated and repressive attitudes that has kept the widows of India marginalized -- WOMEN BLAMED FOR NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN!
Thus began the quest to make a film that
would have an impact not only in the lives of the widows but, also on
the lives of all people who are repressed and feel powerless.
NOW, the award-winning and uplifting
"THE WOMEN'S ISSUES IN THIS FILM
WHITE RAINBOW is a "small" film with a big message and is more than
just a film. It will take you along a roller coaster of emotions where
you will laugh, cry, be mad, happy and at the conclusion of the journey
-- a quiet satisfaction and determination.
WHEN YOU ELECT TO BE INSPIRED AND
EXPERIENCE THIS BEAUTIFUL FILM FOR YOURSELF AND ORDER THE DVD TODAY, A PORTION OF ALL PROCEEDS WILL GO DIRECTLY TO
AN ORGANIZATION THAT HELPS WITH WOMEN'S CAUSES IN INDIA!!
Your desire to help women in need is truly wonderful, but first here's a
quick glimpse of the inspirational story -- WHITE RAINBOW. Inspired by true events is the story of Priya (Sonali Kulkarni - Bride & Prejudice), a beautiful, affluent young woman widowed and left to fate. Alone in a land of extreme contrasts, she seeks peace in the "City of Widows", but instead of finding solace, Priya finds a cruel world filled with brutality. Despondent, she meets three remarkable women and together they embark on a journey of empowerment as they fight for the rights of the widows of India in this ultimately hopeful and uplifting story
The film inspires us all to see the
Rainbow present in all women.
"THE FILM HAS THE POWER TO When you order the DVD of WHITE RAINBOW, it will be directly shipped to you, so you can watch it in the comfort of your home over and over again. This film will make you appreciate the people and things around you -- none of which you will ever take for granted again! Besides opening your eyes, you can share WHITE RAINBOW with all your friends and loved ones!
You not only get the
movie, you get BONUS FEATURES on the DVD that include:
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WHAT YOU DO TODAY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE TOMORROW. |
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In WHITE
RAINBOW, protagonist Priya's DESTINY |
Color is very important to Indian women. It is an essential part of their being. When Women are widowed, they are stripped of all color, are forced to wear white, not allowed to wear any jewelry or the "bindis" (colorful dots that signifies her status as a wife) on their foreheads. Though they are devoid of color in their outward appearance, they still have a myriad of colors within. Hence the title: WHITE RAINBOW. |
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The Filmmakers of WHITE RAINBOW, traveled to Vrindavan, India, aka "City of Widows" to see if what they had been reading was true. They were were not prepared for what they saw and heard. Wanting to bring to light the plight of these women, they decided to tackle head-on the stories of the Widows of Vrindavan. Interviews of 4000 women were drawn from to create the characters in WHITE RAINBOW. This was not without risk! Some Fundamentalist groups and Leaders were calling for the film not to be made. They went further by threatening the Filmmakers and also warning Actors not to be involved in WHITE RAINBOW or else... (read article below) |
Film on widows brings Vrindavan to boil An unholy storm could be brewing in the holy city of Vrindavan. A film on the plight of widows, reportedly starring Raveena Tandon, has local religious leaders up in arms. While American-Indians Linda and Dharan Mandrayar, and Hannah Kirby of San Diego, California, hope the world will see, care about and act on the film titled 'White Rainbow', the 'pandas' (holy order) of Vrindavan are having none of it. They are dead set against outsiders coming down to shoot in their midst.According to previously published reports, the subject first caught Dharan's attention when his son read a novel about a 13-year-old widow banished to Vrindavan. The filmmaker, whose own mother was never mistreated as a widow, didn't quite believe all that he read. However after visiting Vrindavan and ascertaining the truth for himself, he knew he had to act. "I saw widows in really miserable conditions," he said. "There's no joy in their singing. They're real mournful. They were in poor health and not well kept. Everything we read and heard about seemed to be true in worse ways than we imagined," Dharan was quoted as saying in the San Diego Union Tribune. It's a critique that doesn't go down well with the 'Pandas'. Just as their brethren in Varanasi ensured that the previous attempt at filming the life of widows in Mira Nair's 'Water' came to naught, they are determined to scuttle the Americans too. "These foreigners mint money by displaying the weaknesses of our society. While I agree that all is not well in Vrindavan, that doesn't mean we will hold it up for the world to see. After all filmmakers have no other intention than to exploit the traditional ills in this country and sell it abroad. If they are really concerned about the condition of the widows, let them do something to restore them to a life of dignity and honour. Making films is hardly going to solve the problem," says Jai Kant Shashtri, a priest and staunch follower of the Hindu Dharma. Other high-profile spiritual leaders like Brajeshwara Diwedi are fuming as well. According to him the widows of Vrindavan are only following what is laid down in the scriptures and no one has the right to interfere. "The Dharma Grantha says women who have lost their husbands should lead a life free from all luxuries and devote themselves to the service of the Almighty. This is exactly what they are doing. We will oppose any foreign company that tries to make a film on the life of widows in Vrindavan," Diwedi warns. Local residents also feel that no Indian actress should agree to play the role of Priya, an educated and affluent widow who flees to Vrindavan to escape her in-laws and there teaches others to fight for their rights. "Anyone who accepts would be doing grave injustice to their own culture and traditions. No amount of money is worth getting exploited for," says Pt. Hare Krishna Sharma.Are you listening Ms Tandon? |
The CENSORS in INDIA had a fit too. They held up WHITE RAINBOW with the intention of BANNING the film. Several appeals and half a year later, they passed the film with an "A" rating and several cuts. An "A" rating in India was going to keep the film from being viewed by young people. All appeals fell on deaf ears. The Filmmakers were left with the choice of accepting the "A" rating or be banned. Besides, it usually takes three censor officers to pass a film, WHITE RAINBOW had twelve. |
THE "LITTLE
FILM" THAT COULD! |
… "My husband, who never goes to movies, has not stopped talking about your film. Thank you for that...and thank you for being the artists that you are. You speak for a reality that must be understood. Films such as yours make important issues "palatable" to a public that might wish to put their heads in the sand. They can view, comprehend...and maybe a few might even take a stand and do something about such issues. Congratulations!"Sheila Jackman, chair Sedona International Film Festival |
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To bring the uplifting story of WHITE RAINBOW and it's message to YOU and the WORLD, an inspired and motivated group of philanthropic minded individuals and organizations have pooled their talents to make this happen. Thus when you order your DVD today, you will also receive a special 20% DISCOUNT (reserved only for a short time)! The choice is easy. You receive a powerful movie in WHITE RAINBOW and the satisfaction of knowing that a portion of the proceeds will be used to help a worthwhile cause. It is indeed a small price to pay! If this doesn't get you excited about owning the DVD, we don't know what else would... You saw what the critics had to say about WHITE RAINBOW, now see what some viewers have to say... |
"THIS MOVING INDIE FILM IS A CINEMATIC TRIUMPH!"
"WHITE RAINBOW GIVES YOU THE COURAGE TO KNOW WE ALL HAVE THE POWER TO
CHANGE OUR LIVES, WE JUST HAVE TO DO IT!
"INSPIRATIONAL FILM WITH AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE!"
"HEART RENDING DEPICTION OF ONE OF INDIA'S DARKEST SECRETS..." "A
GREAT CAUSE AND A WONDERFUL MOVIE!" "THIS
IS AN ABSOLUTE MUST-SEE FILM. TERRIFICALLY DIRECTED AND ACTED. 10
STARS!" |
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The Guild of Service and the White Rainbow Project help women in need in India Invest and own a copy of WHITE RAINBOW on DVD and as soon as you place your order they will receive a donation! THANKS TO YOU!
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GUILD OF SERVICE |
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THe White Rainbow Project Inspired by the film, The White Rainbow Project (WRP) is a faith based non-profit organization dedicated to caring for the widows of Vrindavan in tangible ways through service trips, fundraising and widow sponsorship. The WRP is partnering with and helping to support the Guild of Service's widow shelter in Vrindavan, India. To get more information, visit their blog at www.whiterainbowproject.blogspot.com |
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'White Rainbow' is the story of
four remarkable women and their journey to overcome the stigma they face
for being widows in present day India. Inspired by true events, 'White Rainbow' is a story of inspiration, friendship and one woman's ability to see what others cannot. The film inspires us all to see the Rainbow present in all women, even those abandoned by their families, economically deprived and deemed worthless by society. They emerge empowered by the belief that they are not fated by superstition, but by their own convictions. Visually stunning, excellent acting and a haunting original score makes WHITE RAINBOW an easy choice. Don't miss this limited time offer and the opportunity to make a difference! |
"THE FILM
HIGHLIGHTS THE WIDOWS PLIGHT. "AN
UNUSUAL THEME THAT HAS BEEN TACKLED WELL" "A
SHOCKING REALITY!"
"We are encouraged by the
salvations depicted, but it is the atrocities both civic and cultural
that keep us glued to the screen."
"AN EMANCIPATION OF WIDOWS!"
"A BITING NARRATIVE!"
"STRIDENT!" "A 35MM
ODE TO WIDOWS"
"FANTASTIC!" |
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Click here to visit the White Rainbow Web Site. |