As a long-time movie enthusiast with a soft spot for documentaries that challenge societal norms and inspire change, “Amma’s Pride” instantly caught my attention. Having spent years immersed in diverse cinematic landscapes, it’s rare to come across a film that resonates so deeply with my personal values and experiences, yet manages to transcend cultural boundaries.
Stepping into the realm of cinematic critique, I found myself captivated by Director Shiva Krish’s compelling documentary short, “Amma’s Pride.” As a groundbreaking work and the sole LGBTQ+ representation at this year’s International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, it gracefully spotlights Tamil Nadu’s historic first legally-registered trans marriage.
The movie tells the story of Srija, a trans woman from South India, and her significant legal triumph that granted her the freedom to marry her cisgender partner, Arun. Central to the tale is Srija’s bond with her mother Valli, whose unwavering backing becomes essential as they face escalating challenges from society.
Krish shared that back in 2019, he found an article detailing how Srija made history by being the first trans individual to legally marry in Tamil Nadu through a groundbreaking court ruling. Upon getting to know Srija and her family better, however, Krish discovered something remarkable: Valli, Srija’s mother, had been a significant supporter of her throughout this journey. This aspect was seemingly overlooked by the media reporting on the event.
The documentary, crafted over four years, unites a group of producers with strong ties to the topic. New York resident Chithra Jeyaram, who hails from Thoothukudi where the film is based, collaborates with D’Lo, a queer and trans Tamil-Sri Lankan-American artist residing in Los Angeles. Their work focuses on trans resistance and joy.
After its debut at IFFI, the production team has announced a campaign called “The Journey to Honor: Where Love Prospers, So Does Pride.” This initiative intends to connect with more than one million individuals by organizing screenings in major Indian cities and villages of Tamil Nadu, and subsequently expanding to U.S. cities during June 2025, which is known as Pride Month.
In a world lacking many positive representations of transgender people, ‘Amma’s Pride’ provides an intimate and transformative tale, as observed by Krish. The film ends with Valli expressing her hope: ‘I will find my greatest fulfillment when it becomes the standard for parents to support their transgender children.’
Ahaanaa Malhotra, a graduate from Columbia University’s Documentary Program, is leading initiatives to use this film as a tool for societal transformation. She plans to engage local communities as part of her strategy, which will be implemented in three stages. Initially, the focus will be on cities like Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, and Bangalore. Subsequently, rural areas of Tamil Nadu will be targeted, followed by screenings in five significant urban centers within the United States.
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2024-11-27 17:46