VR film draws attention to suffering of Indian women

With "Notes to my Father", a depressing 360-degree film will be released in the Oculus video app this month. The film was first shown at the SXSW film festival in March 2017. "Notes to my Father" is about a true story that aims to draw attention to the plight of Indian girls and women. Ramadevi grew up in the countryside in an Indian village. However, when she is married off to a strange man by her father, she begins an agonising time, as the husband sells the girl to human traffickers who force her to work in a brothel.

The father learns about this at some point and searches for his daughter, but without success. Ramadevi only returns to her village years later, but it is very difficult for father and daughter to talk about what has happened. According to the Director Jayisha Patel they never came to terms with the incidents. Jayisha Patel had conversations with Ramadevi. These serve as the basis for the text in the film, which is spoken by Sneha Jawale, as Ramadevi does not speak English. Sneha Jawale herself was abused by her husband for years and had acid poured on her. The director wanted someone to set Ramadevi to music who could understand her suffering.

"Notes to my Father" is just under 10 minutes long and is part of the Oculus initiative "VR for Good" was created. Oculus writes: "We launched VR for Good in 2016 with ten up-and-coming filmmakers who we brought together with ten non-profit organisations. Together, they are championing social projects and telling their stories in VR. Each team took part in our VR for Good boot camp. Here, mentors and experts gave practical advice on VR film production and supported the development and realisation of ideas."

"Notes to my Father" was shot with a high-resolution camera and in 3D. This resulted in unusual contrasts, as picturesque landscapes and idyllic village scenes are mixed with dark and dirty back alleys of a red light district. One scene in a crowded train compartment, in which the viewer is surrounded by men and stared at silently, is particularly memorable. This should give you an idea of how threatened Ramadevi must have felt.

Source: VRODO