Bhopal(Madhya Pradesh): Nandita Das’s ‘Listen to her, ’Tanuja Chandra’s ‘Aunty Sudha Aunty Radha,’ screened at AICUF Ashram near Shahpura Lake in the city. It was part of concluding-day of 3-day ‘OBR Travelling Film Festival - Bhopal edition,’ Jagori Grameen, One Billion Rising (OBR) India, Kriti Film Club, Gauravi and ActionAid Association.
‘Listen to her’ is a spontaneous response to the irony of “Stay home, Stay safe” for millions of women in India and around the world. The film is adding its voice to a conversation that is much needed in public space. It reminds us that speaking up is only possible when women know that there is someone listening. This pandemic has taught us that our lives are deeply intertwined, and so we must respond to the realities beyond ours.
‘Aunty Sudha Aunty Radha’ revolves around the saga of the two widowed sisters, aged 86 and 93, live with their adopted family of domestic help in the village of Lahra, three hours away from India’s capital city. Pulling along on their walkers, the sisters do as they please, paying no heed to anybody’s unsolicited advice.
Curator of the Film Fest Aanchal Kapur told Free Press the message after Aunty Sudha Aunty Radha was to take care of parents and make sure they are not alone in their old age and the slogan was to create happiness everyday.Besides, ‘Let her be heard,’ ‘Bell Bajao,’ and ‘Bol Ke Lab Azaad Hain Tere’ were also screened.
‘Let her be heard’ was based on sexual harassment at the workplace while ‘Bol Ke Lab Azaad Hain Terey, by Sania Hashmi and Mohan Kumawat is an attempt to bring into focus the sexual harassment that women face daily in Delhi. ‘Bell Bajao’ was based on Stop Domestic Violence.
“The message from movies was: break the silence, stop being scared and speak up, help other women if they are facing violence and show such films to boys and men also, '' she added.
Kapur said the overall slogan from festival Meree Marzi, Mere Sapne, Mera Hausla, Mera Atmavishvas, Meri Aawaz, Meri Udaan. There were members from ActionAid association community and also from Muskaan community.
“We have organised the film fest in Chandigarh, Delhi and Guwahati before Bhopal. We will organise it in other cities like Lucknow etc.” Kapur added.
