India | Hindi, Panjabi with English Subtitles | 105 mins | Director-Nishtha Jain
Nishtha Jain’s Farming the Revolution is a moving documentary that chronicles India’s farmers’ protests of 2020–2021, one of the largest civil movements in recent history.
It offers an intimate glimpse into the lives of farmers who camped at Delhi’s borders for over a year to resist three controversial agricultural laws,
seen as benefiting corporations at the expense of small farmers.
Jain’s storytelling captures the humanity behind the headlines, weaving a narrative of resilience, solidarity, and hope.
The film excels at balancing the personal and political. Jain focuses on the daily rhythms of the protest sites, where farmers shared meals, raised slogans, and held marches, creating a portrait of collective resistance.
Her lens lingers on the elderly farmers, women leaders, and youth, revealing how this movement was powered by diverse voices and generations.
At the same time, the film connects their struggles to broader socio-economic injustices, exposing the precarity of rural livelihoods under neoliberal reforms.
Visually, the documentary is both raw and poetic. Jain’s cinematography captures the vibrancy of the protests—tractor rallies, tents stretching to the horizon, and the warmth of communal kitchens.
These images are punctuated with moments of tension: clashes with police, tear gas clouds, and the somber silence of lives lost.
Yet, even in adversity, the film portrays an unwavering spirit among the protesters.
A key strength of Farming the Revolution is its inclusivity. Jain amplifies the voices of women farmers and Dalit activists, groups often overlooked in mainstream narratives.
Their perspectives enrich the film’s portrayal of the protest as not just a fight for farmers’ rights but also a broader struggle for justice and dignity.
Jain resists framing the farmers as mere victims of systemic exploitation. Instead, she highlights their agency, wisdom, and sense of community, transforming the documentary into a celebration of resistance.
It’s not just a critique of the policies that sparked the protests but a tribute to the revolutionary potential of peaceful dissent.
At its core, Farming the Revolution is a story of hope and humanity. Jain’s film reminds us of the enduring power of collective action to challenge injustice, making it a must-watch for anyone seeking inspiration in the face of adversity.
Farming the Revolution is screening one time only at AFS Cinema on Saturday, February 8th at 12:00 pm. Director NIshtha Jain will be in attendance for a live Q&A session following the film. Tickets are on sale now at www.indiememe.org.
Article written by Denise Garza Steusloff, Executive Director, Indie Meme.
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