By: Vijay Kumar Verma, Editor-ICN Group
SHIMLA: Among the many short films showcased during the 3 days film festival women centric films won great applause as they portrayed women empowerment in the country which is also need of the hour.
Produced and directed by Akash Arun of Chhapra, Bihar the short film Womeniya was included in the special screening category at the 4th International Film Festival of Shimla on October 14, 2018. The film depicts the journey of a group of downtrodden women of a backward village Dhibra near Patna and their empowerment which brings about a sea change in their lives and the society as well as in the thought process of their men folk. The film depicts the story of India’s first all women band which is presently not only performing locally but over the years is also moving to far off cities, at time by Air. It portrays how backward women can sustain their families by coming out of their homes to perform in the male dominated society and also financially support their children for higher studies.
According to Abhishek Arun, Creative Head of Framezonia, the film Womeniya is a team effort through which they are able to communicate the story of women empowerment in different parts of the country.
Christopher Watson, a film maker from Australia termed it as the best film of the festival. According to Masao, another film maker from Japan, Womeniya is the best film ever produced on women empowerment.
Women empowerment in the film was a unique effort by a Patna based activist Mrs Verghese who initiated and lead transforming the life of a dozen dalit and downtrodden women of this Bihar community outcast in the southern side of the town. The significance of southern side is that no winds blow into the city from that side.
The opposition encountered from the male fraternity of the community in engaging a male music teacher to teach them the art of drum beating in wedding functions etc is well captured. The gradual transformation leads them to learn the skills and soon getting bookings for performing their band in weddings and other functions.
The sense of satisfaction that brings to them as they become financially independent and also supporting their children for higher studies is well captured.
The story line and cinematography of the film is such that the viewer remains engrossed in the story throughout.
To be continued. ……
