Salma

Documentarian Kim Longinotto's Salma profiles the titular South Indian poet, while also telling the wider story of Indian girls who are still expected to wed when they reach puberty, with no hope of becoming educated or realizing a life outside the home. With subtitled text accompanying contemporary footage and family photos, Salma recounts how she was locked in a basement for 25 years—initially in her own home for refusing to marry, and then, after being forced to wed, in her husband's house (contributions from her aunt, mother, and sister round out the story). Salma educated herself through reading, and as a young wife hid her scribbled writing from her spouse. Salma's mother helped her smuggle her poetry to a publisher, after which she became a sensation, shattering Tamil conventions with her powerful expressions of anger at the skewed marital power relationship. Although Salma's husband eventually recognized her talents—even encouraging her to run for public office—interviews and scenes from their home life reveal strained relationships with him and their teenaged sons. This deeply emotional and inspiring portrait, which premiered at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, highlights the ongoing struggle of South Indian women to become educated and reject repressive traditions. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (M. Puffer-Rothenberg)