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LONDON, Ont. - The importance of preserving one's humanity in an increasingly intolerant world.
That theme dominates Deepa Mehta's films and inspired the address she delivered yesterday afternoon, the second day in the University of Western Ontario's 286th convocation week.
"It is our essential humanity that makes us special and brings us closer to God," the Canadian-based screenwriter/director/producer told an Alumni Hall audience that included 600 graduates of UWO's Brescia, Huron and King's colleges.
After receiving a doctor of laws degree, honoris causa (LLD) from Western, Mehta voiced regrets about missing her graduation ceremony at the University of New Delhi, 35 years ago.
The former philosophy student's no-show was triggered by her disdain for "a misogynistic politician" who was slated to make the convocation speech.
"And, because of my hubris, my arrogance, I missed hearing another person's different point of view," added the director, whose films attack stereotyping, depict the immigrant experience and show the negative impact racial and religious prejudice have on the human condition.
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Born in Amritsar, India, in 1950, Mehta's love of film began at the age of seven when she saw her first movie "about 40 times." In 1973, Mehta immigrated to Canada, where she continued the documentary-making career that was launched in her native country.
Her first feature film, Sam and Me, released in 1991, won honorable mention at the Cannes Film Festival. Mehta's list of screen credits also includes Camilla, a 1993 drama, starring the late Jessica Tandy, and the hit 2002 musical comedy Bollywood/ Hollywood.
Mehta's latest film, Water, is the third in a trilogy about her homeland which began with Fire (1996) and was followed by Earth (1998).
"India provides me with my stories and Canada gives me the freedom to express them," said the 55-year-old filmmaker. "That's the great thing about this country. I can be Indian and still be a Canadian."
Water, which tells the story of a child bride in pre-independence India who becomes a widow, launched the 2005 Toronto International Film Festival and is the first Canadian movie ever acquired by U.S. distributor Fox Searchlight.
"It's the work I'm most proud of and my best cinematic experience," said Mehta about Water, which drew nine nominations and recorded three wins at last year's Genie Awards.
Mehta's currently preparing her next project, Exclusion, a film about racism to be shot in India, Hong Kong, Japan and Vancouver.
Like Mehta, architecture writer Witold Rybczynski received an honorary doctor of laws degree at yesterday morning's convocation ceremony for UWO's faculties of graduate studies and education.
More than 6,400 Western graduates will receive their degrees and diplomas in 10 ceremonies over the five-day convocation period that ends Friday.