Nandita Das' Short Film Shows How 'Stay Home, Stay Safe' Is Not The Reality For Domestic Abuse Victims
Taking up the issue of how domestic abuse victims should come out and speak up, critically acclaimed filmmaker Nandita Das has released a short film that showcases why women must report their abuse.
If you think our society is just battling one health crisis in the form of COVID-19, then that's far from the truth. Mounting data and reports show that domestic abuse has not only risen but flourished under the lockdown. This pandemic has made governments across the world take notice that women are not safe inside or outside their homes.
Taking up the issue of how domestic abuse victims should come out and speak up, critically acclaimed filmmaker Nandita Das has released a short film that showcases why women must report their abuse.
Nandita Das' short film titled 'Listen To Her' was released on Youtube and has gone viral ever since. The short film was accompanied by a caption written by Nandita herself that brings out the irony of the slogan 'stay home & stay safe'.
"The film is a spontaneous response to the irony of 'STAY HOME, STAY SAFE' for millions of women in India and around the world. It reminds us that speaking up is only possible when women know that there is someone listening," wrote Das.
Listen To Her short film
The film opens with Nandita trying to work from home during the lockdown keeps getting interrupted by either her son or her husband. In the middle, she receives a call from an unknown number. The voice at the other end is that of a distraught woman, begging for help. At first Nandita disconnects the call, but later when the phone rings again she is in for a shock as she over-hears that woman's husband beat her up mercilessly.
Listen To Her short film
Speaking to Mumbai Mirror about her decision to make the film, Nandita said:
"Abuse need not only be physical, it can be verbal and mental as well. Even before I started pursuing my masters in social work, I was aware of the reality. As a society, we don¡¯t speak about domestic abuse often, but that does not mean it doesn¡¯t exist. I have friends and relatives who have been in abusive relationships, but what is unnerving is the silence around it¡±.
Nandita Das / Instagram
The film, Listen To Her has been written, directed and produced by Nandita Das herself. She even acts in an impactful film that is sure to begin conversations about the plight of domestic abuse victims.
The film has been supported by UNESCO, UNFPA, UNICEF, UN Women, and the South Asia Foundation (Madanjeet Singh Foundation) as well as actor Amitabh Bachchan.
