The annual Chennai International Queer Film Festival (CIQFF) has an agenda this year. The plan is to focus on dealing with the negative portrayal of the community. “This year, we intend to address negative representation in the media. On one hand you have free speech and expression, and on the other you have cliched and negative portrayals,” points out Felix, a volunteer for the festival, who is also associated with Orinam, a LGBT support group in the city. One example he gave was a character in the film I, which received sharp, and mixed reviews about its depiction of transgenders.
With movies like Pride, which will be premiering in India for the first time, Nachthelle, and Purple Skies being screened, freedom of expression is an issue being brought to the forefront. Like a double-edged sword, free speech can also mean negative, sometimes harmful depictions as well. The panel-discussion on this topic is a way for the queer community to handle criticism.
Chandra Moulee, another member of Orinam, further explains the necessity for a discussion on this topic. “Media and filmmakers have a greater responsibility when portraying such issues. They need to exercise sensitivity and restraint. When there’s a community that's already marginalised and criminalised for being who they are, negative portrayals sometimes colour the entire community in a bad light. This can lead to individuals doubting themselves and ask ‘what’s wrong with me?’ he explains. “On the other hand, this topic will also help us handle such depictions. We also need to learn how to handle such portrayals because we should be able to take criticism about our own community,” he states.
“For a few people who are trying to come out, parents are concerned about their children being labelled as criminals because of Section 377, even if they are open about the community. Because of their parents’ fears, people are often counselled against following their sexual orientations and gender identities. We want to bring about a change in such social mindsets. Gender and sexual diversity is a natural part of our world,” says L Ramakrishnan, a volunteer for CIQFF and SAATHI, one of the partnering organisations.
