“I am an outsider.”
These words, in Supari Studios’ just released short film, will haunt you; more so if you’re a woman. Because of how true the words feel. Because you understand how the nature of violence works, for women who face violence everywhere, it literally makes you an outsider.
In the times we live in, what is truly refreshing to see is how the film understands and explains that violence isn’t restricted to just abuse, but the entire system. The system that denies women jobs, traps them in a rigid patriarchal structure within their own homes and most importantly, doesn’t let them speak out. With a voice-over by Ratna Pathak Shah, the words, written by Sofia Ashraf (of ‘Kodaikanal Won’t’ fame) highlight how society dismisses women’s voices, their right to peace of mind and mental health. It also touches on taboo topics such as suicide and the lack of help for many facing abuse, showing exactly how exclusion works.
And therefore, where women are denied right to their bodies, to their own agency and finally, to any sense of self worth, in the end, what else will they feel but that they are outsiders? Forever.
But the most important message that needs to be spread is that you’re only an outsider only as long as you don’t let anyone in. Which is another way of saying: It’s important to talk. Not just for the greater sake of speaking out, but for your own sake. Because you are not alone. Because you have a right to speak out. And this film lets you know exactly that.