Private Project

Because We Did Not Choose

SYNOPSIS
Because We did Not Choose | Documentary | 92 mins | English | Khasi |Welsh | Pnar (with English subtitles).
100 years have passed since the First World War began- the war that was the beginning of all wars. Nations and communities all over the world have directly or indirectly been affected by it. Some of these experiences are evident today while some have been internalised as time glosses over pages of history. ‘Because we did not choose’ looks at the First World War and the involvement of communities at a time when spaces inhabited by them were transitioning or struggling to accommodate modernity and the rest of its implications. Shot over a period of 4 years, this is the only film from India that examines the participation of indigenous labour in the theatres of First World War.
The film is a meticulous documentation of the journey made by the labourers from North East India to the war front. Research and filming was carried out in Shillong and other adjoining villages, Guwahait, Kolkata, Chennai (where the German sinker Emden struck a portion of Fort St. George in 1914) France, Wales and England. The film was also shot in France with the help and support of the Commonwealth War graves Commission.

  • Wanphrang K Diengdoh
    Director
    Where the Clouds End, Between the Forest and the Song, 19/87
  • Wanphrang K Diengdoh
    Writer
    Where the Clouds End, My Name is Eeeoww
  • reddur productions, Goethe Zentrum Hyderabad, Govt. of Meghalaya
    Producer
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 32 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    March 18, 2017
  • Country of Origin:
    India
  • Country of Filming:
    France, India, United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English, Welsh
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • Nehru Centre, India High Commission
    London
    United Kingdom
    September 13, 2017
  • Atrium
    Cardiff
    United Kingdom
    October 4, 2017
Director Biography - Wanphrang K Diengdoh

I am Wanphrang K Diengdoh, a visually impaired filmmaker representing the Khasi people, one of the world's last remaining matrilineal societies. Currently residing between India and the UK, I draw inspiration from the rich tapestry of my Khasi roots. With almost two decades of expertise in the film production sector, I have firmly established myself as an accomplished director and writer.

My filmmaking journey transcends traditional boundaries, propelled by a resolute commitment to addressing indigenous knowledge systems. The intersectionality of my Indian heritage and the transnational existence of the Khasi people, whose roots predate the establishment of modern nation-states, significantly informs and shapes my cinematic works.

Throughout my career, I've crafted feature-length films that resonate internationally, captivating audiences across the festival circuit, commercial sector, and academic space. Themes such as identity, traditional knowledge systems, post-colonialism, historiography, race, myth-making, and urbanity are explored in my films, celebrating a cultural heritage that transcends geographical boundaries.

My human-centric stories connect with people globally, resonating irrespective of their cultural backgrounds. Through my work, both on and off the screen, I actively contribute to a world where cultural heritage and sustainable living are cherished and celebrated.

As a father to a 7-year-old daughter residing in the UK, my assertion becomes more significant. She is curious about our Khasi identity, and it fuels my determination to amplify our cultural narrative.

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