Pink Saris - Film About Women Challenging Racial Discrimination

This documentary film communicates the work of a group of women vigilantes in Northern India who have united and formed resistance to being mistreated as women and as members of a lower social class. From filmmaker Kim Longinotto, Pink Saris highlights the plight of female victims of oppression or discrimination. It is based on the real-life experiences of the central character, Sampat Pal Devi, who is the leader of the Gulabi Gang (translated as the "Pink Gang"). She brings her own brand of justice to areas of Uttar Pradesh, India, combating violence against women. The film shows Sampat Pal being encouraged by her mother in-law to speak up about the wrongs being done to women of the lowest social caste.

Using the traditional protection of a lathi (wooden stick), Sampat Pal Devi has taught women to become stronger to defend themselves both mentally and physically. Wearing the pink saris, they have beaten men who have abandoned or been violent to their wives and exposed corruption in food distribution to the economically poor. Speaking about the issues, Sampat Pal says: "Nobody comes to our help in these parts. The officials and the police are corrupt and anti-poor. So sometimes we have to take the law in our hands. At other times, we prefer to shame the wrongdoers."

The documentary reveals different facets of the life of the girls and women and their families. It shows Sampat Pal dealing with cases of local young girls who have been beaten, abused, raped and mistreated because of their caste. Renu, an abandoned girl, tells Sampat Pal that she "doesn’t want to live". Another, Rampyari, has been made homeless by her in-laws because she told of her constant sexual abuse by her father-in-law. "Sampat Pal shows tremendous emotional strength and comfort to anyone coming to her with their problems."

The trailer of Pink Saris may be viewed above. The full film can be purchased in India from Under Construction and in the United States from Women Make Movies.