The Forgotten Woman

In Theatres Friday April 25th 

Director: Dilip Mehta (Screenwriter: Deepa Mehta)  

In a nutshell: The Forgotten Woman is a documentary made by Deepa Mehta’s brother in response to her Oscar nominated film Water, about an eighty year old widow who’s shipped off to an ashram in the 1930’s. 

It was during the making of Water, that Dilip learned that over 40 million women in India are still victim to this antiquated tradition. He discovered that across the board – from rural villages to the ancient temple city of Vrindavan – widows are routinely kicked out of their homes, forced to give up their possessions, and are discarded to the streets where live out the rest of their days in sickness and poverty. 

Three words to describe: Heartbreaking, important, cruel. 

Reason I liked it: Although The Forgotten Women is visually stunning – fantastic cinematography, breathtaking scenery – the form takes second place to the message, which is very difficult to accept. The film doesn’t set out to entertain, but rather open our eyes to highly undignified conditions that are enforced on widows in India. 

Annoying Qualities: I was really hoping that the filmmaker would offer up some sort of solution, or at least possibility of change.   

This film made me feel: Honestly, I immediately called my grandma and told her that I loved her.   

You'll like this film if you liked: Water, Born Into Brothels.  

Verdict: If you see it you might cry. But you’ll be better for it. 

Go see this film with: An old friend from your women’s studies course in university.