Whose Lens Is It Anyway

POPULAR CULTURE NEEDS TO REFLECT A MORE NUANCED REALITY OF WOMEN’S EXPERIENCES AND WORLDS

- Alankrita Shrivastava

When Frances McDormand, in her acceptance speech after winning the Oscar for Best Actress, called out to all the female nominees to stand up and share that moment with her, I cried. In that moment there was such deep solidarity. It made me think of the fact that there are such few women behind the camera, but also that when we get together we can be such a powerful force. And if we don’t stand up and change the status quo, it will never change. I’m thrilled that she left us with two words to ponder over. Inclusion Rider.

Inclusion Rider means that when somebody signs a contract, they can ask for a guarantee that the cast and crew of the film are more diverse and more representative. I know this may not become a reality in India for decades. But the fact that the conversation has begun is such a victory. (In the year that Rachel Morrison became the first woman to ever be nominated for a Best Cinematography Oscar, in India, the female cinematographers have formed the Indian Women’s Cinematographers Collective. So maybe there is a sliver of hope).