Vibha Bakshi has been fighting for human issues, not gender issues but human rights and she
says it confidently through her film making skills. Her first film, ‘Daughters
of Mother India’ focused on the issue of rape and gender violence and was the
Most Awarded Social Pr Campaign in the World - Global Creative Index 2016. Her
second film, Vibha’s latest gender rights documentary ‘Son Rise’ is this year’s
Winner of the prestigious National Film Awards - Best Film (non feature) and
Best Editing (non feature) at the 66th National Film Awards. The film will be
screened as part of the Indian Panorama at the International Film Festival of
India (IFFI) in the non feature section on Thursday at Inox, Panjim at 8.30pm.
Speaking about the response of the film so
far, Vibha is excited for its screening at IFFI. “The response has been
overwhelming and the issue of gender equality deserves the attention. When we
talk about gender rights, it is always women talking to women and it is
important to treat it as a human rights issue and talk to men. That is the
reason the film was selected by the United Nations (UN) as the face of the
HeForShe movement in India. The message is that there are men who are doing the
extraordinary to change the narrative on gender equality and we have found
them. If we want to win the fight on gender equality, men and women must stand
together in solidarity. This is the message that also resonates with the UN
message for HeForShe movement and we are very humble and grateful that United
Nations Under-Secretary General and Executive Director, UN Women, Madame
Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka came to Mumbai to unveil ‘Son Rise’ and we are proud
that ‘Son Rise’ is part of the global HeForShe movement,” says Vibha.
As a non feature film, it requires a lot
of research and interviews to highlight the various aspects of the issue. “With
any documentary, a lot of research is required. We decided that in order to
really have the people of Haryana trust us, it is important to spend time on
the ground. We filmed ‘Son Rise’ for two years going across 45 villages.
Initially, it was very hard for people. As a woman filmmaker, I was questioning
the men. It was something that they were not comfortable with and it was very
challenging for me. All the stories of the extraordinary people originated from
the ground. Once we were able to win the trust of the people, it was actually
the people of Haryana who led us to different villages and that’s where we
found our heroes,” she says.
Giving a glimpse into the story of the film, she adds, “The
heart of the film is this farmer, who in an arranged marriage, marries a gang
rape survivor, giving out a very strong message that the shame is not her but
ours. Eight men raped her continuously for one and half years. He is an
incredibly brave man because he is still fighting against powerful men who are
well connected. And yet he is not going to give up on this fight. When we met
they had just got married. They are now parents to two children. During the
filming and the trials, we saw her pregnant and she recently gave birth to a
baby girl. There have been a lot of trials and triumphs in this story and
what’s amazing is this man’s undying spirit to secure justice. ‘Son Rise’ is
based on people’s lives who are trying to make change happen. It may not
reflect the entire state but why not focus on those who are inspiring others to
follow. I will cling on to hope however fragile it is but without hope we have
lost the fight.”
This is their consecutive National award win. “Our previous
film, ‘Daughters of Mother India’ which dealt with the aftermath of the rape
and murder of Nirbhaya also won the award. This time, we won for best film (non
feature) and best editing. It is the most prestigious awards for which we are
absolutely honoured and humble as we feel there will be more people out there
who support ‘Son Rise’ and the issue. We feel that with the UN women endorsing
the film, and the National Film Award, this entire alignment is golden for the
issue.”
Through her films, Vibha has been fighting for a change and she is happy that the conspiracy of silence has been broken. “Change is not going to happen within a couple of years. Earlier, it was very hard to even speak about it, today people are speaking. The amount of calls we are getting to screen these films across schools, colleges and corporate, the message we are getting is that people want change. They want to talk about it and I am very hopeful that by stirring a conversation, change will happen. As film cannot change the world but it can break the silence and that’s what our aim is. We are hoping that the government notices ‘Son Rise’ and we are able to catch the boys at 15 instead of men at 50. We are hopeful that we can work with the ministry to take this forward,” concludes Vibha.