Close X
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
ADVT 
National

VISAFF Wraps Another Successful Year of South Asian Films and Culture

Garima Goswami, 28 Nov, 2016 04:37 PM
    Every year, VISAFF brings a power packed collection of films and documentaries from the South Asian region that discuss social issues intertwined into compelling lives and impactful characters from the real world. VISAFF’s 2016 season was no different. Apart from featured films, Moe Sihota: Feared and Desired, Sold, Moor, Jagjit Singh: Kagaaz Ki Kasti, Badman and Mah E Mir, there was an excellent collection of short films that extended the depth and flow of the festival. A personal favourite was Bachelor Girls that talks about housing discrimination experienced by independent women in Mumbai. 
     
    In India's bustling metropolis, independently working and living women suffer a major disadvantage if they are a bachelor- they face housing discrimination and endure continuous breach of privacy by housing societies and landlords.  'Unmarried,' 'Single,' 'Bachelor,' 'Divorced,' and 'Independent' females may be flourishing in their careers and studies but that does not resolve their crisis of securing a rental apartment or house without any hassle. Testimonies of women interviewed in the film reveals stringent rules and regulations imposed by landlords and housing committees – no male visitors, no late nights, no meat cooking, no parties and much more. 
     
    Believe it not, there is a rigorous interview process to land yourself in a likable apartment, and most of them rely on character certificates and reference letters. Filmmaker Shikha Makan interviewed brokers and real estate agents who disclosed that at times they have to encourage females to lie about their singlehood status or even bring older individuals to pose as fathers and mothers in front of landlords or society's secretaries. It’s the only way to make authorities believe that you succumb to traditional values and culture and would use your independence wisely in the absence of your parents and family. 
     
    Under these circumstances, a woman’s independent lifestyle commands a morality examination from those around her and uninvitingly tosses parental rules and regulations on her routine. Although the issue has been in the news for almost a decade, Makan’s film inspired by her personal house hunting experience strings together major elements of this issue– brokers, landlords, housing committees, secretaries, activists and most importantly women. At one point, an activist in the housing rights domain states that the existing laws in this direction are “toothless,” there are no strict laws or bylaws governing the rights of tenants therefore liberating those in power to dictate their own terms and conditions. 
     
    Overall, the film was impactful but it made me curious to know if the situation differs for a bachelor male apartment seeker – if yes, then to what extent and if not, then why aren’t there any laws or regulations in place to safeguard these requirements for women. 

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Ontario Police Bust Luxury Car Theft Ring That Sold Vehicles Across Country

    They say 23 people have been arrested and $5 million in high-end vehicles, drugs and cash has been recovered as a result.

    Ontario Police Bust Luxury Car Theft Ring That Sold Vehicles Across Country

    Ottawa Runs $2.4B Deficit For September, Double What It Was Same Month Last Year

    Ottawa Runs $2.4B Deficit For September, Double What It Was Same Month Last Year
    The Finance department says the bigger shortfall was due to a combination of lower revenue and higher program spending.

    Ottawa Runs $2.4B Deficit For September, Double What It Was Same Month Last Year

    NDP Promises To End Trophy Hunt For Grizzly Bears In B.C. If Elected In May

    NDP Promises To End Trophy Hunt For Grizzly Bears In B.C. If Elected In May
    NDP Leader John Horgan stopped short of an outright prohibition on the hunt, saying the party would look at regulations on subsistence hunting

    NDP Promises To End Trophy Hunt For Grizzly Bears In B.C. If Elected In May

    Investigators Clear Calgary Police In Shooting That Left Man In Wheelchair

    Investigators Clear Calgary Police In Shooting That Left Man In Wheelchair
    The head of a unit that investigates Alberta police actions says an officer didn't do anything wrong when he pursued and shot a man after he spat on the ground at an anti-racism rally.

    Investigators Clear Calgary Police In Shooting That Left Man In Wheelchair

    Still No Sign Of Four-Year-Old Girl In Vancouver Amber Alert

    Still No Sign Of Four-Year-Old Girl In Vancouver Amber Alert
    An Amber Alert remains in effect in the search for a four-year-old girl in British Columbia believed to be with her mother, who Vancouver police say leads a "high-risk lifestyle."

    Still No Sign Of Four-Year-Old Girl In Vancouver Amber Alert

    Woman Who Accused Author Steven Galloway Of Sexual Assault Breaks Silence

    Woman Who Accused Author Steven Galloway Of Sexual Assault Breaks Silence
    VANCOUVER — The former University of British Columbia student who accused Steven Galloway of sexual assault says her complaint against the acclaimed author was not about a "consensual affair."

    Woman Who Accused Author Steven Galloway Of Sexual Assault Breaks Silence