women's empowerment

Mirch

mandy — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 08:00:00 +0000

Director Vinay Shukla returns to the big screen after five years with his latest film Mirch. Starring Arunoday Singh, Konkona Sen Sharma, Raima Sen, Shahana Goswami, Sushant Singh, and a whole host of supporting actors, this film is witty, cleverly told, and has delightful performances. It addresses the issue of women’s emancipation from restrictive roles in traditional storytelling, and ends up walking a very thin line between making a profound statement about empowerment and being potentially offensive for painting empowered women as cunning. That decision is ultimately left to the viewer, and I walked out unsure about how to interpret it. Ultimately, Shukla delivers a film that is creatively narrated, makes you laugh, leaves you thinking, and provokes a discussion.

The basic story is of a struggling director/writer (Arunoday Singh) trying hard to impress a producer (Sushant Singh) to back his idea. Under pressure, the director narrates four short stories to him, each female-centric and evolving over time and in its feminist message. Konkona and Raima each feature in two of the stories he narrates, alternating from one to the other. They are supported by a very capable ensemble of actors such as Boman Irani, Ila Arun, Saurabh Shukla and Prem Chopra. One of the best things about the short stories is that each one transports the viewer completely to a new ambience and setting, and for a while you forget that you’re in a story within a story, until you’re pulled back out of it. Credit for this goes to the fluid writing and production design, which enables a seamless jump from swanky producer’s office to medieval village to Rajasthani palace to high-end art gallery to sleazy hotel room. If you’re curious about all those locations, watch the film to see what I mean.

Commenting on the evolution of the film, Shukla said, “The film is highly self-reflective, it mirrors the process I went through to get this film made. It was a huge struggle so the story is a commentary on that as well.” Shukla’s most well known film to date has been the 1999 release Godmother, starring Shabana Azmi, which won him awards and critical acclaim. It is good to see him return with another powerful script and a great line-up of talent. The film’s actual portrayal of women’s emancipation is up for interpretation, but at least here’s a film that inspires debate and shows you a good time while doing it.

Cross-posted at The NRI

Written by: Pulkit Datta, November 17th 2010

Pheasant Skirt

admin — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 09:00:00 +0000

By Mata Traders

Before I moved to India, a friend of mine joked that I should send her a full wardrobe at the start of every season. She was more than a little jealous of the items I'd picked up on a trip before—particularly the scarves with sparse silver threading that are difficult to find in the States—where I made my way East to West across the subcontinent from Kolkata to Varanasi to Delhi. My sister made me promise to buy her a few stylish hippie-cum-hipster skirts while my boss hinted at her desire for intricately designed jewelry. I was all too pleased to have my holiday shopping list laid out so neatly.

A reflection of the global economy, a great many women's empowerment NGOs in India have added employment and job training programs to their organizational structure that consists of textile making and exporting. In Kolkata, ex-prostitutes (Sari Bari and Freeset), women living in slums (Connexions), girls and women who have escaped sex trafficking (Made By Survivors), and rural women (Jeevika Development Society) are all carving out a better life for themselves, their families, and their communities by creating clothing, bags, plush toys, and other items that are desirable to those in the West. But in order for these items to make their way from the hands of their creators on one side of the globe to the person who uses the goods on other, there must be an entity facilitating that transaction. Enter Mata Traders.

Although I can't say for certain from which India-based NGOs Mata Traders receives their wares, it is clear this is their system of operation. They pay women workers a livable wage to make handmade clothing, jewelry, bags, and accessories that are then bought in a retail location in Illinois, through their online store, or purchased at the Women Thrive Worldwide World of Good shop. Alternatively, any individual or group can also sell their items as a fundraiser or a home show... kind of like an eco-friendly, fashion-forward, global economy consciousness raising Tupperware party, if you replace the passé pastel plastic with eclectic yet practical attire.

I was quite taken with the bold colors of the Pheasant Skirt, which is made entirely of a comfortable fair trade certified cotton. On most women this skirt would no doubt hit just below the knee, but at 6'1", I'm not most women, so my legs a tad more exposed. No matter, though. The hand-stitched, block-printed bird and swirly designs on the thigh are what attracts the eye. I can already hear the envy in my friends' voices. Luckily, this time, I can tell them how they can get one of their own without shelling out the cash for a plane ticket across the world.

Written by: Mandy Van Deven, December 23rd 2009

What’s Your Point, Honey?

admin — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 01:03:00 +0000

Directed by Amy Sewell, Susan Toffler

Initially you might believe that the lives of the women and girls introduced in What’s Your Point, Honey? will intersect in some intimate way. The opening scenes seem to insinuate a touching tale itching to unfold—and it does, but not in the way you might expect.

A triad of 10-year-old girls who are brilliant beyond their years are shown asking pedestrians if they’d vote a woman into the oval office and why America hasn’t been able to already. Seven idealistic college students are portrayed first as strong members of their own communities then as enthusiastic interns with COSMOgirl!’s White House Project on a mission to facilitate a woman becoming president by the year 2024. Teams of successful women tell of their perceptions of what they once believed they were allowed to do, and how they feel about it now knowing what they’ve accomplished.

While the eighty-seven-minute long film relies more heavily on observation than statistics, it still weaves a compelling account of how equal men and women really are, especially where politics, pay, and family are considered. Although the viewer never sees the physical lives of these women intertwine, there is something to be said for the foundation they all strive to build for each other.

Encouraging examples of these women’s effort to achieve a common goal line up over the hour and a half. One twenty-something intern works to pass a law that might end sex trafficking; the gaggle of young girls challenge their impressionable peers to answer the question that established women have been trying to solve for decades before: why haven’t we had a woman president?

“What I’m worried about with the presidency right now,” Mary C. Wilson (President and founder of The White House Project) intimates, “is that we’re looking for the perfect girl [and] perfection is something a lot of us have had to try to get away from.” Wilson’s point borders on terrifying as a Victoria’s Secret mannequin monopolizes the next frame. Two teenage girls are shopping to emulate the hard, plastic figures that surround them. The girls eye thongs, sample lip gloss, look in the mirror holding up tiny tube tops. This not-so-subtle sequence of images makes it painfully clear why COSMOgirl! and The White House Project are so perfect for each other. This is where girls are becoming women, and deciding what their priorities are.

There are moments in the film when I think COSMOgirl! must be thrilled that people have heard the brand name an extraordinary number of times. Yet, in the film’s defense, it’s not without scenes inspiring viewers to take action, or even drawing an uncomfortable lump into one’s throat. Even after three times through, I’m still happy to sit friends down in front of the film.

This film is for women who haven’t felt inspired to act on their own behalf because, well, in some circles women still have yet to arrive, and What’s Your Point, Honey? reminds us that is not okay.

Written by: Tatiana Ryckman, November 22nd 2009

Girls Rock!

admin — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 08:52:00 +0000

Directed by Shane King, Arne Johnson

Liberation Entertainment

Move over campfires and nature hikes, there’s a new Rock ‘n’ Roll Camp for Girls in town! In Portland, Oregon, campers ages 8-18 discover a fresh summer adventure. During the one-week session, the girls must form bands, choose instruments (which may or may not be familiar to them), and write songs. Helping them in this undertaking are female rockers from bands such as Sleater-Kinney and The Gossip.

Many campers begin their camp experience shy and withdrawn, but find themselves loudly banging on drums and belting out rebellious lyrics by the end of the experience. This is, in part, due to the empowering non-musical instruction the girls receive at camp, such as anger management and self-defense. Wishing you could see this phenomenon for yourself? Thanks to a new documentary, you can!

Girls Rock! follows a group of campers through the entire camp experience: the first day’s meet-and-greet; the drama surrounding choosing band-mates and names; and the fights, friendships, and indescribable bonds and breakthroughs that happen throughout the week. Viewers get to know specific campers through in depth footage of their home lives and candid interviews. We get to see all facets of these girls lives. They are simultaneously charming, annoying, demanding, and lovable, which is to say that they are real girls who are still growing into themselves.

Emotional, funny, challenging, and eye-opening, Girls Rock! will make anyone want to pick up an electric guitar and tell the world a thing or two, especially after you read the shocking statistics dealing with gender disparity that are juxtaposed with the camp’s stereotype-defying backdrop. And if the film's not enough for you, there are fabulous extras included on the DVD that are entertaining and interactive: commentary by the director, camp skits, a follow-up with the campers featured, and DIY rock and roll tips to try at home.

Written by: Amanda Moss, August 2nd 2009

The Female Brand: Using the Female Mindset to Succeed in Business

admin — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 23:05:00 +0000

By Catherine Kaputa

Davies-Black Publishing

Ask yourself this question: what is your unique quality or attribute that makes you an asset to a company? Can you answer that? Whether you are a recent graduate or have been laid off from your job, you need to know how to market yourself and create your own brand. That's where Catherine Kaputa comes in with The Female Brand: she teaches how to brand yourself and helps you stand out from the rest of the applicant pool.

Throughout the book, Kaputa recognizes the differences between the female and male gender, and how they work differently in the corporate world. However, Kaputa emphasizes to her readers NOT to act like men, but use their feminine qualities to their advantage. Examples include being a team person instead of the barking leader, using your intuition to understand people, and having an unique image. When Kaputa discusses image, it's not about being a beauty queen, but projecting your confidence. This could be a suit that makes you feel like a million bucks, or (for me) a pair of cool glasses that always get noticed.

The emphasis of the book is to catapult women to the CEO and other top corporate positions. Besides the branding lessons by Kaputa, every chapter ends with a story by a successful woman who tells her story and her rise on the corporate ladder. In addition, inspirational quotes appear before each story from other powerful women.

As a member of the Class of 2009, every single section of The Female Brand was essential. It has taught me to re-sculpt what my professional goals are, and how to get them. An additional tool that the book provides is worksheets to help you put your plans into action. Kaputa also encourages communication with other co-workers and senior administrators to help you improve. Whether you have a job, looking for one or want a change, this is the perfect book to plan your corporate image.

Written by: Elizabeth Stannard Gromisch, July 19th 2009