Shiva, Krishna, Buddha, James Bond. The question who the odd man out is, is not so difficult. Between the Indian names, there is the western foreigner, James Bond. We see a series of shots from Hollywood and Bollywood (the film centre in Bombay) which appear on the screen in a hypnotizing tempo. A strong textual statement has been mounted in this continuous stream of images, sometimes in short sentences, sometimes word for word, which are read by the viewer and hold the eye. It reflects Shani Mootoo's poem which strongly criticizes cultural imperialism and causing language to disappear, factors which are still used to suppress members of post-colonial states. "It is a crime that I should have to use your language to tell you how I feel that you have taken mine from me". The impact of the energizing music 'Mantra by Material' amplifies the image most effectively. This is a tape to be experienced.
– Marieke van Hal
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Text Shani Mooto
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