Jio MAMI FF 2022 International Women’s Day Documentary Film Review “WOMB: Women of My Billion”
WATCH THE TRAILER:
First, the Recap:
Violence. It’s an ugly word that is, quite sadly, a harbinger for equally heinous acts perpetrated by people upon one another. Regardless of the reasons–hate, misunderstanding, ignorance, or even societal “tradition”–the mere fact brutally overt pain is inflicted upon others to degrees that humiliate, debilitate, and kill remains an issue that PLEADS for change. Yet, it also brings out those who not only SEE the need for said alteration–but take ACTION to back it up. Such is the case with Srishti Bakshi, an absolute force of purpose and relentless determination to see ALL forms of violence against women in India radically denounced and STOPPED. It is a journey of 3800km and 240 days that sees her walk South to North, meeting women, challenging and encouraging them, and ushering in one encompassing message: a termination of violence and the birth of something desperately required–HOPE.
Next, my Mind:
Unapologetically raw, candid, heartbreaking, stirring, sobering, but ultimately, undeniably uplifting film that resoundingly elicits the highly needed cry for transformation its core message exudes, this documentary project from director Ajitesh Sharma, producer Apoorva Bakshi, and executive producer Juliet Blake has made more than an ever-expanding, definitive, consummate, decisive mark upon audiences worldwide. Adding to its growing list of deserved recognition and accolades, the film recently screened at the 2022 Jio MAMI Film Festival in honor of the upcoming 2022 International Women’s Day March 8th. An ode to absolute perseverance and unwavering fortitude in order to make an irrefutably necessary resolve and initiative a reality, it’s a testament to the capacity of unmitigated compassion the human heart can muster when that which is perceived as in need of transfiguration becomes a reality.
The beauty of indie cinema, and in particular South Asian efforts, is that messages pointing to facets of social awareness are a staple part of the filmmaking style. But, what makes this an even more potent example–this isn’t fiction, folks. It is REAL life, really occurring, and the sheer fact that violence against women to this magnitude EXISTS is one forceful, heart-wrenching reality that should unequivocally create within ALL of us a call to action to see it prevented not just in India, but EVERYWHERE. The wholly inspiring pilgrimage showcased centers on Srishti Bakshi, a woman who just had enough of seeing so much brutality encountered by women in India and made a choice–DO something to foster deeper, effective awareness about it in order that a fundamental shift in perspectives, attitudes, and atmosphere of silence and fear that had overtaken so many victims of all forms of merciless violence would not longer reside in the shadows, but be brought to light.
Physically and mentally training to the highest levels feasible for her quest, Bakshi makes an utterly life-altering decision to walk from the Southern region of Kanyakumari to the Northern reaches of Kashmir in order to proliferate what would manifest into a grand, gloriously inspiring movement focused on educating, comforting, and most importantly EMPOWERING women throughout the country to no longer remain in trepidation, but rather realize they can not only overcome their tragic circumstances, but be fully conscious they ARE strong, capable, formidable, worthy, and EQUAL to anyone, especially in a world so dominated by patriarchal abuse of power that has been prevalent in India for far too long. It’s a conquering of physical and psychological abuse, the notion of male superiority, the pressures placed upon them due to traditional expectations forced upon them, humiliation, degradation, and a myriad of other factors that can no longer be hidden.
What make this film even more wonderfully, constructively essential is how it not only gives weight to Bakshi herself and the plights she engages with along her journey with all the women’s lives she’s touched, but there’s also the more specific nucleus of the project’s message illustrated through the stories of three particular women as well–Pragya Prasun Singh, Sangeeta Tiwari, and Neha Rai–all of whom vividly share about their own individual experiences with violence that plays out through the film and builds to its finale that becomes such a perfectly fitting and emotionally poignant exclamation point to everything we’ve witnessed and absorbed up to that point, a testament to victory over inhumanity and an emergence of truth that paints a portrait of just how much value, knowledge, and extremely needed compassion these woman possess and could impart to this world. In short–WAKE UP, WORLD. Time to watch for and listen to women and ALL they have to offer.
Visually, the documentary lavishes us with images both disturbing and delightful, meant to pack a influential, gripping punch where needed while also then providing light-hearted, sympathetic, empathetic, positive reinforcement as well. The grander cinematography so deftly captures the magnificent splendor of every region of India Bakshi travels to that it almost belies the foundational thematic element of violence here. But again, this is what makes us as the viewer become so immersed in what we see unfold, investing in the realization that faith, trust, and belief in atrocity being brought to justice and heralding the start of ongoing change is what becomes the largest takeaways. Likewise, the film’s music score lends this marvelously subtle, quiet, atmospheric, almost meditative state of being to the proceedings. Now as mentioned before, make no mistake there is some HEAVY material being brought forth here, but even the shock of it is purposeful, intentional, and crucial.
So, in total, “WOMB: Women of My Billion” stands as an all-out powerful, authoritative, compelling, thoroughly persuasive, rousing film effort that has the banner of humanity raised high, ideally promoting further expansion of this movement worldwide, and truly see it be granted further opportunity to prove what ONE person can accomplish and bring about. As such, if this is indeed what a SINGLE individual can achieve–what can a UNIFIED mass of similar belief and goals see initiated? Well, let’s find out by standing up and being heard in order to see the END of acid attacks, rape, domestic violence and every other form it all takes in India and beyond so that women are SEEN, HEARD, ACKNOWLEDGED, and EMPOWERED as the PEOPLE they are, cherished and respected as they SHOULD be–EQUALS!
Check out the documentary website: Women Of My Billion to learn more.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
