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Many People, Many Desires - a documentary film on the queer movement
Here's a film that
really does show a very comprehensive picture of the queer community in
Bangalore.
If I was to use just one word to describe "Many People, Many Desires"
I'd say its really straightforward (though that probably all that's straight in
it!). After so many 'concept' documentaries, after so many films where the main
purpose seemed to be to draw attention to the filmmaker rather than the subject
of the film, after so many over the top and all over the place films, what a
relief to see a film that just sets out to paint a picture of the queer
community in Bangalore and achieves that without any frills or fanfare.
The film is really comprehensive - we get a full picture of the queer community
(mostly, though not all Bangalore based) from lesbians, gays, transgendered
people, hijras, kotis (OK, before Ramki jumps on me, I'll admit, no bisexuals
that I can remember). The communities shown also cut across all classes and
language groups.
A very pleasant surprise is how many of the people shown let themselves be
filmed openly without blurring or those sinister faces in shadows. (I'm NOT
criticising those who did agree to be shown that way - I understand the
compulsions involved and its great that they took part in whatever way. But full
faces does have a particular impact and that was what was so good to see).
Members from each community - usually one representative individual - are given
time to talk about their issues and to present their viewpoint, but by quick
cutting between the different groups and skilful but not jarring camerawork -
thumbs up for our own Mukul here! -it never becomes boring. Not all the views
stated may be acceptable to everyone, but they are never shown becoming
confrontational or unpleasant. The impression that is formed is genuinely of a
large and very diverse community, with many different personalities and
viewpoints - but which still IS a community.
Its not all serious either. There are some lighter moments, like the cute guy
who complained about being pursued by a woman who wanted to marry him, even
after knowing everything about him. ("I told her I like to wear saris, she
said, no problem, I'll make sure I bring ones you like in my dowry!!!") And
while you aren't aware of it at first, there is also a narrative that slowly
coalesces around the brutal murder of a hijra and how the community comes
together to protest her death. (Kudos to Manohar and everyone else at Sangama
for organising this).
Films about the queer community sometimes end up leaving an ambiguous image in
your mind. The viewpoints are always sympathetic - admittedly, I'm not likely to
be watching homophobic films - but the way they show the community can sometimes
grate a bit. Queer people are shown as victims, or divas, or ultra cool and
sophisticated people, or super sexy types, or depressed and tormented ones, or
exotic and over the top people. You may not have anything specifically to object
to them, but somehow they are never like most of the queer people you know.
Not in this film. Perhaps the best thing it does is show how totally normal
everyone is. All the queer people, Chandini the hijra activist, Bala the gay
professional (hey Bala, thanks for the plug for GayBombay when the film shows
you surfing our website!), Sreela and Srinandu (I'm getting the names wrong, I
know) the courageous lesbian couple from Kerala, Bobby the outreach worker and
all the others come across as just like anybody else - except that they have
decided to be honest about one part of their lives. Looking at these people you
realise how stupid it is that anyone should want to criminalise them and that
has got to be the best take out from this film.
For this reason I think this film will be an invaluable educational tool. Its
the ideal thing to show in colleges, to different groups, perhaps even people in
positions of authority like the police or politicians. There's nothing
sensational to object to, its not boring, yet the overall take out is so
compelling. We really should make a concerted effort to make sure as many people
as possible see the film. Very reasonably priced copies are available from
Sangama (another thing to thank them for - none of the headache we've had with
getting other films). I think the VCDs are just Rs300, DVDs a bit more. You can
get copies or more information by mailing or calling Sangama at:
Sangama
A resource centre on sexuality issues focussing on LGBT issues
Tuesdays to Saturdays 10.00a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Flat 13, III Floor,
Royal Park Apartments
(Adjacent to back entrance of Hotel Harsha, Shivajinagar)
34 Park Road, Tasker Town
Bangalore 560051
Tel: (080) 2868680/2868121
email: sangama@sangamaonline.org
sangama@vsnl.net
We've got a couple of copies from Bangalore (thanks to Alok for that) and have
already shown the film at a Gaybombay meeting, where it got a very good
response. Now to try and find ways of showing the film elsewhere in Bombay. I've
asked friends in NGOs to help and we might have news of public screenings soon.
But if anyone else is interested in helping arranging a public screening please
get in touch with me directly at vgd1967@indiatimes.com
And congratulations again to everyone who was involved with the film!
Vikram
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