How women in the Malayalam film industry are dismantling the patriarchy

It’s a well-acknowledged fact that women should have better representation onscreen, women actors should be paid what men are paid, and that the film industry should be a safer space for women. A group that is actually working towards this goal is the Women in Cinema Collective. Comprising women professionals from the Malayalam film industry, this organisation is trying to create an equal and safe workspace for women.

How the Women in Cinema Collective was created, and its members

Born at a time when the #MeToo movement was gaining momentum across the world, this collective was created after a male actor from the Malayalam film industry was accused of sexually assaulting a woman actor. Following that, this group rose to challenge the skewed powder dynamic in the industry.

Not only that, but this collective also includes women from all branches of the movie industry, not just actors. Parvathy Thiruvothu, Divya Gopinath, Padmapriya Janakiraman, Revathi, Rima Kallingal, Geetu Mohandas, Anjali Menon, and Beena Paul are just some of the many members of this group.

What the Women in Cinema Collective does

Despite running the risk of being sidelined and ostracised, several women in this collective have been vocal about the lack of workplace safety in the industry, the gender pay gap, absence of intimacy coordinators, and sub-standard work conditions, including but not limited to improper sanitation facilities.

Not only that, but this group also provides a network and support system for women, who often feel isolated for standing up for themselves in such a male-dominated space. Actor Parvathy is among the members who has been vocal about how much the collective has inspired her and other women who are bullied for speaking up.

In an exclusive interview with Hook, she voiced her concerns: “All the women of my collective, Women in Cinema Collective... have really been at the brutal end of being starved creatively, and we are continuing to be starved. So I think every single member of the collective who has, regardless of being starved, being kicked out of the industry or whatever, holding on to that hope, and vowing to themselves that it’s not the end of the road, I think all of them, and I mean I wouldn’t be here without them, frankly.”

Other similar organisations for women in film

Despite significant lip-service in the wake of the #MeToo movement, there are only a few groups like this one.

The UK's Female Film Club is focused on promoting women professionals in cinema, and ensuring they are hired to work in front of and behind the camera. Closer to home, Ekta Kapoor, Guneet Monga and Tahira Kashyap had launched Indian Women Rising to promote women's stories told by women onscreen. In Hollywood, Women In Film Los Angeles is a group that aims to advance the careers of women in film by advocating for better compensation and improved work culture.

The changes Women in Cinema Collective wants to bring

To begin with, the group submitted a petition urging the government to take action in the sexual assault case that led to the formation of this collective. Parvathy told AFP what a big deal this was: “The fact that a committee was even formed by the government in 2017 because Women In Cinema collective demanded it, in itself was a historic moment.”

In addition to attempting to create a code of conduct, they have also tried to improve job safety for women. This includes requesting the government to standardise a wage structure and security provisions for women in the industry, so more women can get work and stay employed in the industry.

Apart from improving the industry behind the scenes, the collective also plays a role in ensuring women are represented better onscreen, which is why it awards films that pass the Bechdel test. For the uninitiated, this test is a way to measure the representation of women in stories. It doesn’t just look at women being included in a narrative, but also if that representation includes multiple women having conversations and storylines that don't involve a man.

In line with the collective’s goal of promoting feminist films, Parvathy criticised films like 'Kasaba' for its misogynistic dialogues, despite the subsequent cyber-bullying she experienced.

She and the collective have also been instrumental in pushing for stories centered around women becoming a norm rather than being an exception. In an exclusive conversation with Hook, she said,“In the studio spaces especially when decisions are made, there are times where we see the trend ki, ‘Abhi woh feminist films would be lucrative for us,’ ‘Abhi thoda zyada ho gaya, thoda kam kar dete hain.’ According to their convenience and market, not for the betterment of us just evolving together as artists. So, I think that convenience-based thing is a very tokenistic way to look at things,” adding, “They have to get used to the fact that ‘female-oriented’ stories are just human stories, just another story.”

Parvathy also told AFP that women who face issues should not be disheartened: “Anyone who tells that ‘Oh if it's so difficult for you, why don't you go find another job,"’ do not pay heed, do not listen to them. This is your industry as much as it is anybody else's. You get to create art. If that is what you do, want to do with your life, join us, join these forces, speak up, so that we are taking the space that's rightfully ours.”

Evidently, there is a lot of change needed in the way many industries function, but not many organisations are committed to bringing about said change. So, the Women In Cinema Collective is a great example of how to reclaim spaces, push for reform, and fight injustice. So, shouldn’t all industries have similar collectives?