Title:NEW HORIZONS : story of the Colombo Plan [Main Title]
Film Number:COI 646
Other titles:
Summary: Information film on the Colombo Plan.
Description: An introductory sequence attempts to show that South and South East Asia constitute an integrated economic bloc, sharing a common cultural heritage. The narrator implies, but does not explicitly state, that European imperialism stifled early economic development and caused the region to stagnate. With political independence the area experienced a "new renaissance", and resolved to break out of the self-perpetuating cycle of poverty. The remainder of the programme gives a superficial and optimistic account of the economic progress being made under the auspices of the Colombo Plan, emphasising the immense resources of the region, the comprehensive economic planning of the Council and national governments, the importance of state aid, and assistance from the more developed nations, the USA, UK, Australia and Canada - eg a US-financed saw-mill in Vietnam "where the people have seen far reaching changes in recent years". The international Colombo conference reviews progress - speech by Eisenhower. However, the main effort comes from the people of the region, who cooperate to help each other - eg the Indian army builds a road to Nepal. Much remains to be done, but East and West are joining together to create a new, prosperous world.
Production Details: Colombo Plan Council for Technical Cooperation in South and South East Asia (Production sponsor)
Government of India, Films Division (Production company)
Mir, Ezra (Production individual)
Prakash, Ravi (Production individual)
Wadke, U K (Production individual)
Madhok, T R (Production individual)
Bhat, L R (Production individual)
Chatterjee, R K (Production individual)
Personalities, Units and Organisations:
Keywords: economics, South East Asian general - commerce (object name)
strategy, South East Asian: Colombo Plan (object name)
Colombo Conference & 1955 (event)
South East Asia (geography)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: English
Title language: English
Subtitle language: None
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 3
Footage: 2535 ft; Running time: 28 mins
