Feelings and thoughts still float like ribbons in a now gentle breeze. Yesterday it was a turbulent storm they fluttered wildly in. For me - the documentary, ‘India’s daughter,’ told the story of two powerful forces at odds with each other in current day India. The force created by Jyoti’s dreams and of her parents support of her dreams. The other a more ancient and terrifying force – that of the patriarchy, the punishers, the rapists, the defence lawyers. The old force threatened by the new must squash it before it claims more space.
Yes, not a new story but one that needs to be told again and again. Yes, it certainly does not get to the roots of the problem and there is a part of me desperate to find the roots so I can fix the problem. Another part of me knows that though a thousand steps have already been taken on this journey of letting our daughters become women we still have ten thousand more unknown and uncertain steps to take. As for the much criticised title - Without realising it I think Udwin picked a name appropriate for this unfortunate story – Jyoti was brutally forced into the box of being just another daughter of India by those rapists.
I did have issues with Udwin’s unconsciousness, about her white lens. I did question why an Oxford historian was required to explain India’s rape problem. I did feel her ignorance come through in some of her interview comments - and they hurt. But I am glad she told this story and hope many more do. I do wonder - about the icy, remorselessness of Mukesh’s voice - did he have any moments of doubt, of questioning? Udwin says she had 16 hours of tape shot in Tihar - I wonder what was edited out.
Yes, not a new story but one that needs to be told again and again. Yes, it certainly does not get to the roots of the problem and there is a part of me desperate to find the roots so I can fix the problem. Another part of me knows that though a thousand steps have already been taken on this journey of letting our daughters become women we still have ten thousand more unknown and uncertain steps to take. As for the much criticised title - Without realising it I think Udwin picked a name appropriate for this unfortunate story – Jyoti was brutally forced into the box of being just another daughter of India by those rapists.
I did have issues with Udwin’s unconsciousness, about her white lens. I did question why an Oxford historian was required to explain India’s rape problem. I did feel her ignorance come through in some of her interview comments - and they hurt. But I am glad she told this story and hope many more do. I do wonder - about the icy, remorselessness of Mukesh’s voice - did he have any moments of doubt, of questioning? Udwin says she had 16 hours of tape shot in Tihar - I wonder what was edited out.
