The Forgotten Women (April 24, 2008)

Organizer: Hot Docs Film Festival
Cost: $12
Pre-event estimate: 4 out of 5 based on interview from Toronto Star and comments from friends on the movie "Water"
Post-event rating: 2 to 3 out of 5 *Please read comments below

One day after I wrote on the blog that I have only watched one Indian movie, the law of attraction pulled me away from two other events to attend the world premier of "The Forgotten Women." It was written and directed by Dilip Mehta, the brother of Deepa Mehta (director of 2006 movie "Water"). This documentary showed us widows in India are still being treated poorly at this time. Many of them spend their days in temples chanting in return for a handful of rice, or beg on the streets. Some say they now devote their lives to God while others blame their fate. However, I think the saddest part is the ignorance of other people. It made sick to see the loving couple paddling away from the camera and the lady at an upscale salon critisizing widows for not being educated.

Dilip also interviewed two activists who are fighting for the widows' rights. Dr. Mohini Giri was in attendance that day. Her passion and energy in the few replies at Q & A would motivate anyone to join her in this fight. The other activist was Ginny Shrivastava. Raised in Burlington, she moved to India with her Indian husband and founded the Association for Strong Women Alone. She delivered a powerful message: She wanted to empower widows by giving them education, supporting them to make a living, so that they feel confident to challenge the inequalities imposed on them.

Mehta probably deliberately kept the gloomy tone throughout to reflect the reality. However, I would have liked Shrivastava's message and interviews of the few widows who resisted the pressure to be shown at the end to shred some light on this sad subject. Nonetheless, the documentary was beautifully shot and the message was loud and clear. It also brought awareness to the less fortunate in each society.

("The Forgotten Women" is screened at the Varsity now.)