Dir. Rakesh Sharma 2004
Shown at film festivals worldwide Final Solution is a study of the politics of hate. Set in Gujarat during the period Feb/March 2002 - July 2003, the film graphically documents the changing face of right-wing politics in India through a study of the 2002 genocide of Moslems in Gujarat. It specifically examines political tendencies reminiscent of the Nazi Germany of early/mid-1930s. Final Solution is anti-hate/ violence as, those who forget history are condemned to relive it.
In the post 9-11 world, the politics of intolerance is finding acceptance within the mainstream, nationalism is on the rise and the right-wing seems to be tightening its stranglehold across USA and Europe mainly on the anti-immigrant/anti-Moslem issue. The Indian rightwing is legitimizing its own agenda of politics of hate by supporting the global War on Terror.
We have earlier lived through many dark periods in history, often justifying our barbarism by using similar phrases. I hope this film forces people to react and think, challenge popular opinions (being handed down in easy-to-digest form across media) so that we can build a world which has for its, foundation, peace, love and welfare/well-being of people rather than hate, despair, destruction and tragedy. Rakesh Sharma
The Censor Board of India recently banned Rakesh Sharmas internationally acclaimed documentary.