L'Œil au-dessus du puits
Johan Van der Keuken
1988 - 90 min - Pays-Bas

In India ,Johan van der Keuken studies the teaching of ancient Keralese traditions by filming different dance, singing, and martial arts classes, a Vedic school, and a theatre performance. As a counterpoint, through the itinerary of a modest country moneylender travelling from to village to village, he evokes the economic situation of the region. The film's movement captures the essence of a civilisation ; the permanence of values such as harmony and discipline.
"A masterpiece... What Van der Keuken did was catch the essence of civilisation... a state of grace has clearly touched this great filmmaker : as if he reached a total identification with a worldview radically different from our own..."
(Louis Marcorelles, "Le Monde")