A Family and Country Are in Crisis in ‘Our Share of Sand’ (Exclusive Venice Clip)

The recent Venice Film Festival premiere of “Our Share of Sand” has brought attention to a pressing issue: India’s sand mining crisis and its far-reaching consequences. The film, written and directed by Shalini Adnani, explores the parallels between this environmental disaster and our own world’s fragile ecological balance.

Adnani’s title is rooted in the reality that sand, a seemingly abundant resource, has become a currency being rapidly depleted. River sand extraction has accelerated erosion and contributed to flooding worldwide. As the director notes, many people are unaware of this crisis, and its effects are only beginning to manifest in devastating ways.

The film follows 12-year-old Maya as she navigates her complicated family dynamics and uncovers a pattern of silence and exploitation. Her father’s business dealings with sand mining have put their entire community at risk, while her mother is slowly unraveling under the pressure. As Maya confronts her father’s deception, she begins to question what truly holds her family together: blood ties or material possessions.

This dichotomy speaks directly to our own world’s values. We pride ourselves on being a global community connected by shared human experiences, yet we continue to prioritize profit over people and the planet. The clip shows Maya pushing back against her father’s narrow definition of family bonds, which is tied to wealth and material security.

Adnani brings a unique perspective to this story as an Indian-origin writer-director based in London. Her background in short filmmaking has given her a keen eye for the human condition, as seen in her critically acclaimed short “White Ant.” This feature debut marks a significant step forward in her career, and it’s clear that she’s tackling topics that resonate deeply with audiences.

The international collaboration behind the film, which includes UK-Greek co-production and development with Film4 and the BFI, speaks to the growing recognition of the global nature of this crisis. As we watch “Our Share of Sand” unfold on screen, it’s striking to see how local effects can have far-reaching consequences.

This raises important questions about our individual actions – or inactions – and their impact on the world around us. We need to confront our own complicity in the exploitation of resources and the silence that perpetuates it. The film’s portrayal of Maya’s journey serves as a powerful reminder that even small voices can make a significant difference when we choose to listen.

As I reflect on “Our Share of Sand,” I’m reminded of past environmental disasters, from the Exxon Valdez oil spill to the devastating effects of deforestation in the Amazon. Each disaster has served as a wake-up call, only for us to continue down the same path of destruction. We owe it to ourselves and future generations to learn from these mistakes.

The film’s title asks what share of sand we’re willing to take – literally and metaphorically. As we watch Maya navigate her complicated world, we’re forced to confront our own relationship with resources and the consequences of our actions. The erosion of trust in a fragile world is a reality we can no longer ignore. Will we choose to listen to the voices that push back against exploitation, or will we continue down the path of destruction?