Nisha Pahuja's PBS-aired POV documentary contrasts two dramatically divergent means for Indian women to make a place for themselves in a male-dominated society. The World Before Her begins with a look at the month leading up to 2011's Miss India pageant in Bombay. Beauty pageants take on more significance for Indian woman who have fewer opportunities: for winners, modeling contracts and acting jobs suddenly become viable propositions. Nineteen-year-old Ruhi, who hails from Jaipur, is supported by her family, whom she hopes to make proud, while they—in turn—naturally want her to enjoy a better life. In Aurangabad, on the other hand, those who belong to the Durga Vahini—the women's wing of the Hindu nationalist group Vishva Hindu Parishad—gather for a different purpose. While the beauty queens are learning how to pose, the self-described warriors of Durga Vahini are learning how to defend themselves, even though their leaders still expect the women to marry young and to defer to men. Twenty-four-year-old drill sergeant Prachi, who enjoys being intimidating, says, "I don't like girlish-type girls" (she finds the Miss India pageant reprehensible), even adding, "I hate Gandhi." That said, Prachi's father readily acknowledges that he used to beat her and he expresses his disappointment that she has no intention to marry. Durga Vahini president Malaben Rawal discourages her charges from worrying about appearance, worldly goods, or anything else to do with the Western world, but Ruhi and Prachi are ultimately not so far apart in their single-minded devotion. While the activists rise early and train until late, the contestants do much the same (while also having to endure Botox and skin whitening sessions). A winner at the Hot Docs and Tribeca film festivals, this is highly recommended. [Note: this is also available with public performance rights for $295 from Ro*co Films Educational, www.rocoeducational.com.] Aud: C, P. (K. Fennessy
The World Before Her
(2012) 91 min. DVD: $29.95. Docurama (avail. from most distributors, Aug. 6). Volume 28, Issue 4
The World Before Her
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