Special Screening: ANUJA: A Short Film

Directed by Adam J. Graves (Metropolitan State University of Denver)
A special screening of the film followed by a discussion with the director
Friday, Oct. 25 at 8:30 pm | Cobb Hall (C307)

Reserve your seat for the screening. The screening is free and will be open to the public, but we are pleased to offer online ticketing to reserve your seats in advance. The Film Studies Center’s 100-seat screening room in Cobb Hall (C307) features large-screen projection capabilities for various digital and film formats, promising an excellent viewing experience. Seating is limited, so we encourage you to take advantage of the early ticketing option to reserve your seat.

The Society for Ricoeur Studies (SRS) is pleased to announce a special screening and discussion of during our 2024 annual meeting in Chicago. The film is written and directed by longtime SRS member Adam J. Graves. This special event offers a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of Paul Ricoeur’s philosophy of imagination, cinematic storytelling, and social justice themes.
The screening will be held on Friday evening at 8:30 pm at the University of Chicago’s Film Studies Center, which has generously agreed to sponsor this event. Following the film, there will be a discussion with Adam Graves, providing attendees the occasion to engage directly with the filmmaker about his work.

Anuja tells the story of two sisters working in Delhi’s garment industry. When nine-year-old Anuja is offered the chance to attend an elite boarding school, she faces a dilemma that forms the narrative's core. The film explores themes of child labor, education, and familial responsibility in contemporary India.
Adam Graves, Professor of Philosophy at Metropolitan State University of Denver, brings his background in South Asian studies and philosophy to this project. Developed in collaboration with Salaam Baalak Trust, a nonprofit organization that provides education and opportunity to thousands of Delhi’s street children, Anuja aims to present an authentic portrayal of life as a child laborer in the global textile economy. Graves is the founding director of the , a public humanities center that explores the relationship between philosophy, film, literature and history.
The short film features Sajda Pathan, a resident of a Salaam Baalak Trust home, in the lead role. Pathan’s personal experience as a former street child adds a layer of authenticity to her performance. The cast also includes newcomer Ananya Shanbhag and veteran actor Nagesh Bhonsle.
Anuja has already gained recognition on the festival circuit. It premiered at the 24th annual deadCenter Film Festival and won Best Live Action Short at the HollyShorts Film Festival. With this win at HollyShorts, one of the select group of Oscar-qualifying festivals, Anuja automatically becomes eligible for Academy Award consideration in the three shorts categories.
Of particular interest to SRS members will be Graves’ attempt to translate Ricoeurian concepts of metaphor, narrative, and the imagination into visual storytelling. The film employs visual metaphors and a non-linear narrative structure that reflects Ricoeur's ideas of “narrative identity” and “refiguration.” Through its cinematic techniques, Anuja invites viewers to actively interpret and engage with the world it depicts.
This screening presents an excellent opportunity for our society to examine how Ricoeur’s philosophical ideas can be applied to and explored through film. It also allows us to support and celebrate the work of one of our members in bringing these concepts to a broader audience.
All attendees of the 2024 annual meeting are invited to join us for this special event on Friday, Oct. 25 at 8:30 pm. The screening of Anuja promises to be both an engaging cinematic experience and a springboard for thoughtful discussion on the application of Ricoeurian philosophy to visual media and cinematic art.
For a fuller description of the film, see https://www.anujathefilm.com/. A film trailer is available here.
A poster for the film is available here: poster

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Film Studies Center, 5811 South Ellis Avenue, Chicago, United States