The world wanted to know why Soumya didn't forcefully push Govindachamy and save her precious life. Remember, these pointed fingers belong to a society that teaches a girl not to speak loudly or be like a 'woman' the way someone else wants. Filmmaker Deepa P.M. is asking how well girls can equip themselves with self-defence if raised in this 'how-to-be' norm. The answer is there in her 20-minute short film, Her Day, which is an all-woman affair, on and off screen.
"The film highlights the need for a girl to defend herself. Society knows how to ask why a girl could not fight back a molester, but fails to understand that most of our girls are on a mental arrest. When an unplanned attack happens, a quick impulse, energy to fight or flee does not come. A girl or a woman is denied a space where they could learn these life lessons. Instead, boys or men are given the freedom to equip themselves," says Deepa, who has co-directed the film with activist Divya.
From the ideation process to shooting to post production, there are only women. "It came out of our travels and casual chit-chats. One of our thoughts where why cinema has very few female lyricists? In certain places, women are allowed just for the sake of meeting the female representation criteria. Where are the others?" she asks.
So Her Day begins from a playground, another male dominion. "Take a female sports team. Perhaps, they may play for a college team and win prizes. The local playgrounds are meant for men. An ability to defend should start from here. That's our highlight," says Deepa, who is also an author and publisher based in Kozhikode.
The story and screenplay are by school children Harsha and Anjali. Prasanna Parvathy has cranked the camera. Other female participants are Shylaja Mattannur (costume), Laila Kasargod (music), Ajitha (art direction) and Athira (main character). In addition to this list, several other women have acted in the film.
