Thuramukham (The Harbour)

This screening took place on Saturday, April 15, 2023 at 7:30 pmYukon Theatre

Thuramukham is set in the backdrop of workers' struggles, and protests against the infamous ‘Chappa’ system of casual labour allocation and primitive "work guarantee" scheme that was practiced at the Mattancherry harbour in Kochi during the 1940s and 50s.

Metal tokens called Chappa were thrown into the waiting crowds of labourers, where they would fight for the tickets (Chappa). Whoever manages to get one would be given work for the day at the wharves or godowns. The protests against this system had resulted in the police firing and killing of three labourers. Thuramukham shows how two brothers end up on opposing sides of this system. One becomes the leader of an employer's gang of thugs, while the other becomes an activist. All the while, the women in their family go hungry and the community is ravaged by violence and alcoholism. In this epic film featuring a generous helping of fight sequences, the struggle for social justice and the desire to make the best of your life are two sides of the same coin.

In Malayalam with E.S.T.

Recommended ages 12+ for scenes of violence.