Often we see films that feature issues in society that leave us feeling powerless, and distraught on why no one is doing anything to make a difference. BAS gives us a refreshing look at the
work of a number of people who are actively making a difference in the lives of numerous women who have become victims to a horrifically large prostitution trade. In India many young girls, and young women are abducted, or are lured through the promise of marriage, a new job by men and women who work in this age old trade. Often families in poor villages are promised a better life for their daughters in the big city if they are to marry someone who unbeknownst to them is a human trafficker. The story's are endless on how many of these young women are brought into the industry. Many of these women have no idea what has happened till they arrive at a brothel, the place where majority of them will spend their lives. If you have ever travelled to India there are two kinds of people you likely encountered those who we imagine to represent the true India, spiritual, beautiful beings, and those that are just trying to survive by any means necessary whether it be crime, prostitution, etc. I do not blame the second group of people, for what they do out of desperation but I do not condone it either. Crime is often just a mechanism of survival in a country where the population is so large, it is hard to make a place for yourself in society especially where often the class system is still regarded, leaving many unable to climb the social ladder even today. Think back to Slum Dog Millionaire, where Anil Kapoor's character in the film cannot believe that a simple Jamal a "chai walla" (tea server) could possibly know the answers to questions that one would expect only an educated or more knowledgeable person to know. In the end it was a miracle for Jamal, as is the outcome for the women in this film who are thought they would die in a brothel.
The film focuses on rescuing women who have been forced into prostitution. The women are shown at a Rescue home, where they are taught dance in hopes to release the emotions they have inside that have been beaten down with the lives they were forced to live. They are asked to dream, and encouraged to make a new life for themselves. This itself is a very difficult task for the average woman in India even today. Sure India has modernized in some of its thinking, however what we see in Bollywood where women often are independent is not truly the case for the middle class and below in the country, and even in the upper class to some degree. Society is still predominately male driven, and women on their own are often thought of as prey. Although we are led to believe that women can do everything a man can do, it often is really not the case in India. There is still a stigma. This stigma leaves women who are victims of prostitution with little hope for a future.
In BAS by Wendy Champagne we see the stories and the pain and hope in the eyes of many young women. I loved how at the start of the film the faces of these women are blurred, and their voices so faint we can barely hear them. They are like ghosts. Many of these women are performing acts of prostitution 30 -35 times daily. Many of the brothels have 40 - 50 women in a small area. When the police officials raid the brothels, women are hidden in small secret areas. The conditions end up leaving many of these women HIV positive from the line of work they have been forced into, or also with children. The Rescue Foundation featured in this film works with many of these girls in improving their capacity to return to some form of normalcy. However in a society where often such careers leave a permanent stigma it is difficult to overcome.
The one part of the film that had me a little confused was the fact that the foundation helped to assist these women to become married. Married women have more strength in society in India than do single women. I was a little confused by all this, as in Indian culture I know it a challenge for women with such a stigma to be so easily married off. I am not trying to judge, as I only wish the best for these women, but am curious as how these arrangements were made.
None the less the women in the film are empowered with the support and guidance they are given, through means such as the arts. The film leaves us seeing these beautiful women stronger, and louder than when we first met them.
BAS in hindi means STOP, and is reflective in the message the women want to get across, that they will not take it anymore! BAS: BEYOND THE RED LIGHT can be caught at John Dutton Theatre at 12pm on Tuesday September 28th & Friday October 1st.
