The title of Sonum Sumaria’s languid film might suggest a general sense of possibilities, but her documentary in fact focuses on an indigenous way of life that has become painfully constricted. Ahmed and his family – descended from a long line of nomadic herders – raise camels on the plains of Kutch in western India. Their daily rituals, making rotis over open fires and nursing their livestock, unfold in intimate, unhurried scenes.
These routines are deeply in communion with nature, but the landscape has irrevocably shifted, threatening their very existence. A drought rages, leaving little water for Ahmed’s ailing animals. Climate change is not the only cause; in impressionistic wide shots, we see glimpses of wind turbines and factories, private enterprises that turn the surrounding environment into barren land. Moreover, while laws allocate grazing ground for cows and buffalo, no such measures are provided for those with camels, goats and sheep. Malnourished, Ahmed’s herd grows increasingly sick. In a heartbreaking turn, mounting debts and medical costs soon force him to sell most of his livestock.
Though critical of modern commerce, Sumaria’s film does not romanticise tradition. Along with their pastoralist customs, Ahmed’s family clings on to outdated views of gender roles. Much of the housework is done by the women, including his daughter Hanifa, while her brothers are allowed to play. Here, young girls are not given a proper education; they are expected to get married young. This film could have dived deeper into these problematic aspects, linking them perhaps to the larger issues regarding the lack of government support. Nevertheless, for a feature debut, this remains a captivating and empathic portrayal of a vanishing community.
• Under the Open Sky is at Bertha DocHouse, London from 12 October.