WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
Tainted. Unattainable. Two words that carry with them the absolute association with rejection, high levels of skepticism, and, more often than not, ignorant disbelief. When confronted with daunting, seemingly insurmountable odds that are being weighed against us, the choices remain as straightforward and unshakable as those terms that seek to batter us down and shatter our confidence–cave in or rise up. In the Southwest region of India is the State of Kerala. Reeling from incidents involving women being forbidden to enter temples since they are considered “impure” due to one wholly natural cycle they experience as a gender, the uproar and need for change mounts. Enter 96-year old temple cleaner Karthiyani Amma, an uneducated woman given no due respect or dignity but her own trust in God. Therefore, she makes the only decision she can–step out and become educated in order to prove nothing is impossible to achieve, both as a strong woman, and as a human being, a journey that will become an inspiration to all those around her.
Next, my Mind:
There are the initial moments of pure outrage through the conditions being portrayed that then give way to one of the most heartwarming, encouraging, inspiring, joyful, stirring, utterly necessary stories imaginable that illustrates what it is to truly BE fearless and fully indomitable in action, soul, and spirit, presented through this fantastically executed 15-minute documentary short from writer/director/executive producer Vikas Khanna, producers Sonia Pachmayer and Bindu Khanna, plus executive producer Jay Shetty. An NYC Premier, the film screened as part of the 2021 NYC South Asian Film Festival sponsored by Toyota USA and hosted by Festival Director/Jingo Media Founder Jitin Hingorani and Artistic Director Ambica Dev, the vitality of real life shines forth with a fervency that demands attention and provides a powerful motivation to anyone viewing it to reassess what it is to seek out that which has been possibly indicated to us by others is not nonviable, impractical, or implausible. Suffice it to say, this critic wasn’t surprised the film ended up winning Best Short at NYC SAFF 2021!
This deeply heartening tale of one woman’s amazing solution to silence any and all critics while also making a stand for women’s rights and importance, there is nothing but total admiration we as a viewer should experience while witnessing this 96-year old, uneducated temple cleaner whose done nothing but her level best to provide for her family take on ingrained cultural and social conventions with such unequivocal passion and determination. Then, not only does Karthiyani embrace the challenge, but becomes a vehicle showcasing unwavering individuality, dogged resolve to not let anyone’s opinions, especially negative, impede her purpose, and by striving to achieve the initial educational goal pursued, become an example to family, friends, AND the detractors that it all IS possible. This critic cannot stress enough just how critically essential a film of such significance is to be seen during a worldwide pandemic that has upended our very reality and caused so much unease, anger, and unsettled notions about what the future holds.
Karthiyani just did something at 96 that some struggle to believe conceivable to succeed at who are FAR younger than she is. The beauty of the film is to watch the magnitude of focus Karthiyani maintains with her studies, even getting up at 3am to DO her studying, with the 1rst Grade students she’s become a part of finding newly discovered momentum due to it. Seeing those same children who first made fun of her joining their class standing and applauding Karthiyani’s successes melts your heart, and even her own admission of how much she used to love watching her great grandchildren do schoolwork that she now does WITH them is marvelously affecting. It’s her wonderfully tranquil but inwardly fierce spirit and mind that drives this story’s foundational premise, and listening to Karthiyani share step by step about this endeavor through the aforementioned steadfastness paired with perseverance and resoluteness makes you smile ear to ear with unqualified ease and just FEEL almost provoked to search out our own mountain to conquer.
The other facet of the film that assists in cementing it’s influential persuasiveness is the testimony of multiple people who have found their lives impacted by Karthiyani’s unfolding odyssey, including local priest Shri Kandan Somayajipad whose outlook on women being allowed in temple stands firm as a needed alteration and LONG overdue recognition of women and their strength, educator Sathi Krishnan whose literacy mission among children at the Cheppad Panchayat School has aided many, school principal Lalitha Kumari K. who made the decision to accept and admit Karthiyani as a 1rst Grade student, teacher Letha N. who helped guide Karthiyani in her studies, her own daughter Ponnamma, whose pride and elation at her mother’s accomplishments shows through so magnificently, and Jayashree N., Karthiyani’s final exam teacher who has the joyous honor of discovering just how well her unexpected student has done. All of them exude the kind of indelible belief in what another person can do that’s SO desperately needed currently.
The film’s uncomplicated visual presentation sticks to standard documentary format but does so with an effectiveness that immerses you into the story on the relatable level real life should elicit. Accompanied by the film’s music score that adds apropos ambiance when needed, it’s proof positive that great documentary filmmaking presenting a complete and engaging portrait of a person’s life can be manifested within the confines of a shorter runtime and still have the desired impact. So, in total, “Barefoot Empress” is a must watch incursion into realms and concepts we should ALL take to heart and find means to apply in order that we also could realize that it just takes standing firm and tall, taking the risk, and conquering the doubters to become an inspiration for others to follow. Not for our own sake, but for the betterment of a broken world that urgently needs positivity. May Karthiyani’s further goals, highlighted during the film’s finale, spur us on to greater deeds and faith. “It always seems impossible until it’s done”.
Miss viewing “Barefoot Empress” at either physical festival? Worry not! Check out the film online as it currently screens as part of Virtual SAFF 2021!
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
