Woman filmmaker and cameraman madam: No, it’s not easy

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, BIFFES organised a panel discussion on Women in Cinema. Comprising filmmaker and costume designer Roshnini Dinakar, editor Preethi Mohan, sound engineer and mixer Geetha Gurupa, DOP Preetha Jayaram and actor-director Aimee Baruah and actors Rituparna Sengupta and Suman Nagarkar, the session saw them discussing everything from their respective journeys to the industry and the challenges they have had to endure to make it to the mainstream.
Starting with a Women’s Day message, Rituparna, who is at BIFFES with her film Mahishasura Mardini said, “Our film is an interpretation of Ma Durga and the power of women. Women live with that power inside them every day. Without it, nothing would happen in this world. She gives birth to life and she holds everyone together. So, my message to women everywhere is hold on to your identity, take your space and make your calls. Be powerful and empower others.”
Talking of ageism and gender discrimination in the field, Suman Nagarkar pointed out how middle-aged women are only offered mother’s roles while heroes who have acted with them can remain heroes even in their 60s. The actor-turned producer also shared how the industry treats women differently. “Turning producer gave me a very different perspective of the industry. You trust people and they will take you for a ride. That way, it's very challenging. Even a developed country like the US is still not ready for a woman president. So as women, we have to work harder so that someday people will believe in our power.”

Noting how there are very few women technicians in the field, Preethi Mohan shared how several registered editors who are women haven’t done a single film after getting their cards.
Sharing her happiness in seeing women in fields that are dominated by men, Geetha Gurupa recalled that it wasn't the case when she had started. She also shared experiences from when she had to prove to her directors that she could work on just family drama and romance, but action as well. To that, Roshni responded by saying that her next film is an out-and-out action film, just to break that stereotype.
Assamese actor Aimee Baruah shared her disappointment in often being called a woman filmmaker and an actress and said she’d prefer to be called an actor-filmmaker. Cinematographer Preetha Jayaram quipped how even now, people call her ‘cameraman madam’ because a word such as camerawoman doesn’t exist in people’s minds.

Answering a question about having to cater to the male gaze, Preetha shared, “As a cinematographer, you have to add your creativity into action, drama, songs, item numbers — all of that. When someone comes to me with a big-budget film, with a big hero, I can’t say I’ll do only this, but not that. Instead, I'll do it my way. I think it's better not to separate it as male and female gaze. People have been making films for men. It's a bit skewed from the top. So, if I were to shoot an intimate scene, I will have my take on it. I will make sure that it’s aesthetic and I will fight the director for it. There's always a healthy discussion.
“Besides, when you pick a project you know who you work with, the story, premise and if there is something you don't want to do, you proudly pass it on. But there are already so few of us. And if we want to focus on the female and male gaze, how do we come to the mainstream? I think it's a card you hold close to your heart and you continue to do things that are within your comfort zone, fight the director as much as you can. I have done action films, violent films and I have never portrayed women in a bad light."