The story behind the Women in Cinema Collective

What started off as a group supporting a colleague is growing into a professional women’s body in Kerala’s film industry

November 02, 2018 03:16 pm | Updated 05:50 pm IST

WCC members during a press conference last month. Photo: Thulasi Kakkat

WCC members during a press conference last month. Photo: Thulasi Kakkat

They have spent much of their adult lives in the spotlight. The public is familiar with their filmographies. But when actors Revathy, Parvathy and Padmapriya addressed a press conference representing the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) last month in Ernakulam, they chose to begin by introducing themselves, listing the number of films they have acted in, the industries they have been part of, their experience, and other competencies.

It was an act of defiance against an establishment that has till now almost treated them as invisible, turning a deaf ear to much of their demands. The Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) referred to them as “those actresses,” refusing to even take their names. That day at the press conference, the women vented out their anger and disappointment. And it struck a chord.

In a Facebook post a few days later, actor Sridevika, who retired a decade ago, spoke of how AMMA office-bearers would dissuade victims from filing complaints. “They would console complainants; they would ask ‘Aren’t we all one family?’ In AMMA meetings, the atmosphere was too intimidating for us to speak. When I listened to the WCC press conference, I was moved. I knew I had to speak up, at least for the next generation,” she wrote.

The beginning

WCC was formed in 2017 in the aftermath of a woman actor’s complaint of sexual assault masterminded by actor Dileep. A group of women actors got together in a WhatsApp group to look at ways to support the survivor. As AMMA continued to shield the accused, they decided to create a new forum.

Today, WCC is growing in unexpected ways. “After a couple of informal meetings to discuss how best the survivor could be helped, we realised there were a lot of other issues we faced in the industry. Until then, we had hardly ever bonded outside the sets. We never talked during award events. For all of us, coming from various backgrounds, coming together under this banner in these circumstances, became a strong connect. There was a need for women to come together and be there for each other,” says actor Padmapriya. And, like film editor Bina Paul says, “WCC is a celebration of women in cinema, not a lynch mob,” as some men see it.

Slow progress

In the early days, the focus was on ensuring justice for the survivor, especially within AMMA. They launched the #Avalkkoppam (With Her) campaign, for which they faced abuse and threats from Dileep’s fans.

Following their protests, Dileep was suspended from AMMA. He was arrested in July 2017. WCC members then met with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who then appointed the Justice Hema Commission to study the issues faced by women in the Malayalam film industry. The Commission is at present looking at ways to improve women’s safety and security, salary packages and service conditions, and at creating a conducive working environment.

Last month, WCC filed a petition in Kerala High Court asking for all organisations working in the Malayalam film industry to implement provisions of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013. “The issue of gender is now centre-stage in Kerala. For a lot of women, this has been a personal journey and an eye-opener. There are a lot of problems we have never spoken about. We are now an effective pressure group that can raise issues,” says Paul, who is also artistic director of the International Film Festival of Kerala.

Superstar insensitive

The issues they wish to highlight are not new. Many Malayalam films from the 90s have been openly misogynistic, at times even violent. Last December, when actor Parvathy spoke about the glorification of misogyny in Mammootty’s Kasaba , all hell broke loose and Parvathy was the target of a hate campaign by Mammooty fans. The term ‘ feminichi ’, a derogatory reference to feminists, was coined to mock Parvathy and her contemporaries. Mammooty reacted by sarcastically saying “I respect women” four times in his next film.

What we are beginning to see now is an attitudinal change in how women actors engage with the media and how at least some members of the media engage with the actors. Till recently, women were mostly asked about their experience of acting with a superstar, or about trivia. The actor’s performance or the script were often underplayed. The press has not always behaved well with female actors, with some male journalists openly hostile or accusing WCC members of “gossip” and “blackmail”.

Now, women are being asked questions on various topics. Recently, WCC members joined a protest led by some nuns against a rape-accused bishop.

“Now, when there’s an incident involving women or some other injustice, WCC’s point of view is expected. We are asked why WCC is not saying anything or doing something. This means people expect much from us. Of course, as we reiterate again and again, we are an advocacy group that raises awareness about issues; we can only suggest solutions,” says actor Revathy.

Another problem area WCC hopes to address is the age-old practice of older actors being paired with much younger female leads. It means women actors stop getting lead roles after the age of 25. “It restricts the amount of time I get. I don’t stop living at 25. I become far more interesting after that. With this, you are restricting the kind of subjects the industry takes up. If you don’t challenge this, what are you doing as an artist? We are trying to change the narrative so that there are better opportunities to work with. It is healthier for the industry to have a diverse workplace,” says Padmapriya.

A women’s cell has now been formed in AMMA. Asked whether it has come a bit late in the day, Kukku Parameswaran, a member, vehemently disagrees. “Didn’t freedom too come late to women? Even Sabarimala entry has been allowed only now.”

As WCC’s membership grows, and includes professionals from all film-making departments, it’s clear the idea is here to stay. This will change the way Kerala’s film industry, and in turn its society, looks at women.

For now, other film industries have offered support. Maybe soon they too will have their own WCCs.

praveen.sr@thehindu.co.in

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