Film Screening: Mardistan
A documentary named 'Mardistan' was screened by the team of KRITI. The documentary encompassed the various dimensions of masculinity and was a good way to orient students about the various aspects of masculinity and how it works in our society. The documentary covered aspects of masculinity under caste and class, dominant masculinity portraying men as the inheritors/protectors and the women having to conform to the norms to be able to fit under the “good woman” tag. How some men indulge in domestic violence only to gain acceptance in the society where beating/ abusing your wife is considered a measure of your masculinity.
It talked about the struggles of a homosexual who was forced to marry in order to get acceptance in the society and the kind of harassment he had to face once he decided to come out of the closet and declare his sexual preference. Even though he had his wife’s support, he was subjected to mockery and insults on a daily basis. |
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Very interestingly the documentary also highlighted the thought process of young college boys who have a single point agenda of creating a good first impression on the girls and the sooner one gets into a relationship the more masculine he is considered to be in his friend circle. The constant peer pressure and the inability to befriend a girl often results in the aggressive behavior of the boys with the girls around them trying to prove their masculinity.
Another issue highlighted in the documentary was that of the caste/class based masculinity where sodomy/male rape was used as a method to exert power. It was seen that boys who have undergone violence in their childhood tend to indulge in domestic violence or drug use as adults.
The documentary shed light on some important issues which show the current manifestation of masculinity and helped the students to develop a perspective on the issue.
Another issue highlighted in the documentary was that of the caste/class based masculinity where sodomy/male rape was used as a method to exert power. It was seen that boys who have undergone violence in their childhood tend to indulge in domestic violence or drug use as adults.
The documentary shed light on some important issues which show the current manifestation of masculinity and helped the students to develop a perspective on the issue.