In 2003, filmmaker Sridhar Rangayan sat in the Censor Board’s office to discuss his film Gulabi Aaina (Pink Mirror). It was the third time Rangayan had approached the board members, who had refused to clear his film because they considered it vulgar. Gulabi Aaina is a film about two men who cross dress, and their gay friend who wants to woo a boy they fancy. The problem, the board members told Rangayan, was that his gay characters seemed happy to be ‘what they were’.
“They said I needed to sympathise with their state (homosexuality). That’s when I got it — we cringe at the sight of well-adjusted gay characters on screen who are happy with their sexual orientation. They must be mocked, bullied to make a straight protagonist look macho, or pitied — that’s your normal film.” The board members cited lines from a film where a gay character said, “Na mein aadmi hoon, na mein aurat hoon.Bhagwan, mujhe aisa kyun banaya (I am neither a man nor a woman. God, why did you make me like this?)”. That, said the board members, was missing from Rangayan’s portrayal. Gulabi Aaina remains banned in India but has been screened in more than 70 film festivals all over the world.
A few exceptions aside, Hindi cinema loves snide remarks and ridicule at the expense of gay characters in films. Its definition of ‘normal’ is an effeminate, limp-wristed gay character who can be kicked about for liking the macho hero. Lesbian characters in our films are cast to do little more than titillate the male audience.
To see how film-makers around the world are shaking off such stereotypes, three international queer films at the 13th Mumbai Film Festival, organised by MAMI, are good examples. The screenings at Cinemax, Versova, next week may also teach Hindi cinema (and most of its viewers) a thing or two about a mature and nuanced portrayal of LGBT issues and characters.
Hopefully.
Mountain (Fjellet)
Director: Ole Giæver
October 17, 3.30pm
Nora and Solveig, a young lesbian couple, hike through snow-covered mountains to rediscover their love. As the two women trek up the ragged blue cliffs, many harsh truths tumble out.
Two years ago, their five-year-old son, Vetle, died on a mountain hike and Nora, the biological mother, has never been able to get over the loss. She blames Solveig for her carelessness in letting Vetle out of her sight as he wandered beyond the edge. She says bitterly, “He wasn’t really yours,” to which Solveig says tearfully, “Vetle was ‘our’ son.” Now Solveig is pregnant and is upset that Nora hasn’t even touched her belly.
She Monkeys (Apflickorna)
Director: Lisa Aschan
October 19, 12.45pm
When Emma, a teenager, joins a group that is learning to perform gymnastics on horseback, she meets the slightly older Cassandra, a circus rider. The two begin a relationship that is laden with physical and psychological challenges. Soon, lines are crossed and the stakes become higher. Their relationship is pervaded with jealousy and power that turn it into a battle for control.
Tomboy
Director: Céline Sciamma
October 20, 12.45pm
When boyish looking Laure, 10, moves to a suburb east of Paris, she feels lonely as she does not know anyone her age. One day, she meets a cute neighbour, Lisa. Lisa mistakes Laure to be a boy and when Lisa asks ‘his’ name, Laure says “Michael”! Things get complicated when Laure’s relationship with Lisa becomes close and the ambiguity of her gender becomes complicated.
(Film summaries: Sridhar Rangayan)
All films will be screened at Cinemax, Versova.
Seating at first come first serve basis.
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