Filmmaker Vibha Bakshi's powerful documentary examines the aftermath of the 2012 rape and murder of 23-year-old Jyoti Singh Pandey (aka Nirbhaya) in Delhi. Indian journalist Bakshi recounts the horrific details of the attack, before interviewing activists, educators, students, Delhi police, and people on the street to gauge the impact of the outraged protests across India that followed Nirbhaya's death. The shock of this brutal attack occurring in the middle of Delhi brought heightened attention to the misogyny and violence suffered by Indian women, resulting in crowds of angry citizens filling the streets. Three months later, anti-rape law recommendations that had been “pending” for years were finally passed; fast-track courts were set up to quickly prosecute cases of sexual violence; and police who failed to record complaints of gender-based crimes were held criminally accountable. Public awareness also led to a sharp increase in reported cases of domestic violence. Sociologist Dipankar Gupta offers insightful background commentary here on deep-rooted cultural attitudes towards women, virginity, and rape in Indian society. Bakshi also reports on efforts to educate schoolchildren about “good touch, bad touch,” and sensitize police forces to gender issues, and he visits a Delhi street theater troupe whose performances raise awareness of sexual violence. Providing an inspiring look at initiatives meant to counteract longstanding attitudes within Indian culture that are dangerous to women, this is highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (M. Puffer-Rothenberg)
Daughters of Mother India
(2014) 45 min. DVD: $300. DRA. Film Platform (avail. from www.filmplatform.net). PPR. Volume 31, Issue 1
Daughters of Mother India
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