Film to show how sexual violence follows Indian women

Vancouver-based actress Patricia Isaac doesn’t want the recently publicized sexual violence against women in India to be an “overthere” issue.

“There’s a disconnect when we think there’s a problem‘ overthere,’” Isaac told Vancouver Desi.

So the star of CBC’s Republic Of Doyle decided to take action and take on her first-ever producer role in the short film Shamed — The Girl Who Wouldn’t Stay Quiet, which is set to go to camera in April.

Her call to action was inspired by December’s fatal gang rape in New Delhi that outraged the whole nation, and also years of research at rape relief shelters across Canada.

“The infuriating part was when I went to a (Canadian) rape relief shelter and they said one of the No. 1 ethnicities that they experience coming in was South Asians, because they were known to be the quietest,” she said.

According to Hilla Kerner of the Vancouver Rape Relief Shelter, this is true for all women from “conservative communities.”

“(Those) women are more discouraged to come forward,” said Kerner. “Most women will decide not to go to the police ... because of the stigma that is attached to that.”

Not only are they embarrassed, but they feel it brings dishonour to their family.

Isaac’s film is about “one girl’s journey and her turning point as to why she can’t stay quiet.”

By showing the girl’s journey — played by Rekha Sharma — Issac hopes to “open up a dialogue” around the shaming of women within South Asian cultures.

“This isn’t a film about rape — it’s a film about the aftermath,” said Isaac. “I’ve worked with and also spoke with over the years many, many young girls, and also older women in their 50s and up, that have just never come forward. “That breaks my heart.” In her film, Isaac illustrates that shaming happens here in Canada as families immigrate outside of India and continue to raise their girls as they would in their home country — “shaming them for their sex, for their development, creating a place where they’re fearful to even come forward.”

The film is directed by Vancouver Film School graduate DJ Parmar.

About $7,000 is still needed before filming starts by April, so a fundraiser will be held on Friday at Charqui Grill, 1955 Cornwall Ave., in Kitsilano.

The event starts at 6 p.m. with drinks, food, performers and a date auction.

Tickets for the event can be purchased at filmfair.brownpapertickets.com.