The filmmaker Nimisha Mukerji discusses with Joseph Planta, the new documentary she’s directed, Blood Relative, which chronicles an activist’s struggle in Mumbai to provide support and medicine for young people suffering from Thalassemia.

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver at TheCommentary.ca.

Blood Relative, a new documentary from the filmmaker Nimisha Mukerji, will have its world premiere at the Vancouver International Film Festival. It’ll screen three times Saturday, 06 October (6.45pm), Wednesday, 10 October (4.15pm), and Friday, 12 October 2012 (9.15pm). Visit www.viff.org for more information and tickets. Ms. Mukerji joins me now; we’ll talk about this movie, which is her second feature, that follows the remarkable story of Vinay Shetty, an activist in Mumbai who’s devoted his life to helping young people in India suffering from Thalassemia, a genetic blood disease. It’s become an epidemic. Young people suffer stunted growth, and though it can be treated, lifesaving drugs are out of reach. In the movie we meet two people with the disease: Divya, a 14 year old and 24-year old Imran, who happens to be a big fan of Eminem. The movie provides a view onto modern India’s healthcare system, and the fascinating stories of these three compelling characters. Nimisha Mukerji is a Gemini nominated producer and director based out of here in Vancouver. Her debut feature was the critically acclaimed 65_RedRoses, which ended up airing on OWN this year. The website for more is at www.bloodrelative.net. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Nimisha Mukerji; Ms. Mukerji, good morning.

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