Wagah

Wagah is Asia’s Berlin: a small village near the border between India and Pakistan, in the disputed province of Kashmir.

Since the founding of Pakistan in 1947 the country is on a war footing with its neighbor India. The hostilities are rooted in religious differences and disagreement on Kashmir. At the Wagah border crossing, the flag is lowered by both sides every night.

Wagah is a short comic film about this theatrical, outright festive ceremony, that attracts thousands of spectators every day. The crowds gather to witness the patriotic performance. The two countries are well-matched: basically, either side claims to be better, bigger, have a more powerful army and a more beautiful flag. The gathering is also an opportunity to catch a glimpse of what happens beyond the border. Wagah shows the daily puppetry through the eyes of three young spectators.