S### Durga (Originally Sexy Durga) is a hardcore political critic movie spoken in common ‘Man’s’ language. I am in awe with the subject and unconventional film making that #SanalKumar Sasidharan chooses. He proves that content outshines form. #SDurga not only stands out for its ‘storyless subject’ but the way it has been filmed. Passion and Political commitment is what it takes to produce such films.
I remember the poem – road not taken! But the road that Sanal Kumar takes us is the same road that we travel every second, every minute, however not been ‘repaired’. To escape from this road, bypass roads have been created or the dents have been justified, ‘Tips’ have been offered by ‘virtuous’ people for effective maintenance of the ‘road’ rather than making it accessible for everyone. Thus it becomes a road not taken – path being consciously ignored for the benefit of Oppressors.
Tons of thanks to #SanalKumarSasidharan and #SDurga team for making a ‘propaganda film’ without ‘cinematizing’ it! Propaganda becomes a taboo in films. Am glad that you did it, probably making it a ‘new genre’, atleast in my understanding!
This form is definitely new and inspiring. It has opened newer hopes for Political Activists to speak their heart out in the so called ‘Entertainment’ Medium. Why would someone call this an alternate film? Is the pathetic condition of Woman (or any gender) in society an alternate problem in this society? Aren’t these ‘masala’ films an alternate and deviation from the ‘reality’? We should be terming them as ‘hyper reality’ movies… I guess.
I am not going to narrate the story, because it has to be watched and experienced. However, as Sanal himself has mentioned in his interview, the festival intercut and the end, rather endless end attempts to spit on the hypocrisy of this society.
This Patriarchal society is not only a threat to women but also Men, Couples, Children and every damn life on this planet. Myself being a victim of moral policing when my partner was subjected to assault on road for holding hands and walking can write pages and pages on how fearful it is to live in this ‘dark society’, but what is the use unless and until it is being voiced at large scale.
S###Durga struggles to be that voice and it is shameful as always that such voices are suppressed. Let’s stop calling such films an alternate film and bring it to mainstream.
Dear comrade Sanal Kumar Sasidharan, please do make many such movies and politicize this ‘numb’ society in your own way and we shall be with you.
With love,
kotravai
P.S. Infact I had gone alone to the movie and there was one woman along with a man. So, I was the only woman alone watching this movie amidst about 7 or 8 people in PVR. I had to cross so many male gazes while I went alone into the mall, when I came out to take a cab, inside the cab! I kept thanking Sanal 🙂
M.A.S.E.S -- Movement Against Sexual Exploitation and Sexism 