Two major Bollywood rape-revenge dramas released in
2017 had beefy heroes take on men or gangs who had sexually assaulted
their wives or daughters. But off-screen, predators in the world’s most
prolific film industry are protected by victims’ silence.
2017 had beefy heroes take on men or gangs who had sexually assaulted
their wives or daughters. But off-screen, predators in the world’s most
prolific film industry are protected by victims’ silence.
From India’s Bollywood to Nigeria’s Nollywood,
which both produce more films than Hollywood, actors told the Thomson
Reuters Foundation that sexual abuse and harassment was rife, but
victims almost never spoke out.
which both produce more films than Hollywood, actors told the Thomson
Reuters Foundation that sexual abuse and harassment was rife, but
victims almost never spoke out.
A deluge of claims against Hollywood film mogul
Harvey Weinstein has sparked countless stories of sexual harassment in
the social media #MeToo campaign, with women using Twitter and Facebook
to recount experiences of being abused, groped, molested and raped by
bosses, teachers and family.
Harvey Weinstein has sparked countless stories of sexual harassment in
the social media #MeToo campaign, with women using Twitter and Facebook
to recount experiences of being abused, groped, molested and raped by
bosses, teachers and family.
Weinstein has been accused of sexually harassing
and assaulting numerous women, including A-list actresses, over the past
three decades. The film producer has denied having non-consensual sex.
and assaulting numerous women, including A-list actresses, over the past
three decades. The film producer has denied having non-consensual sex.
While actresses in Nigeria said poverty forced many
women in Nollywood to keep quiet about harassment for fear of losing
roles, their Indian counterparts said Bollywood’s ‘boys club’ and
pervasive victim shaming stopped them going public.
women in Nollywood to keep quiet about harassment for fear of losing
roles, their Indian counterparts said Bollywood’s ‘boys club’ and
pervasive victim shaming stopped them going public.
“It
is the culture of victim shaming, the culture of silence that is
present everywhere, not just Bollywood,” said Richa Chadda, an Indian
actress who has blogged about #MeToo.
is the culture of victim shaming, the culture of silence that is
present everywhere, not just Bollywood,” said Richa Chadda, an Indian
actress who has blogged about #MeToo.
“It is glamorous to talk about Bollywood, but the problem is that
girls (everywhere) are not treated equally and don’t feel safe,” she
told the Thomson Reuters Foundation by phone. “When you speak up, you
risk losing your position, your career.”
BOLLYWOOD
Thousands of young boys and girls flock to the Bollywood capital
Mumbai every year seeking film parts and are often exploited by agents
who promise roles in exchange for favours.
While some big Bollywood names have been charged with rape and harassment, they have rarely lost the support of their peers.
“Like in the outside world, there exists a bro code
in the industry. I’ve not seen anyone take a stand against allegations
of sexual harassment made by female actors,” said Radha Rajadhyaksha, an
Indian journalist who writes on films.
in the industry. I’ve not seen anyone take a stand against allegations
of sexual harassment made by female actors,” said Radha Rajadhyaksha, an
Indian journalist who writes on films.
“In fact, when a few years ago an actor was tried
for rape, one or two filmmakers came out in support of him and (helped)
to resurrect his career.”
for rape, one or two filmmakers came out in support of him and (helped)
to resurrect his career.”
When
a big name actor was arrested earlier this year following the abduction
and rape of a popular actress in Kerala, industry figures soon tweeted
their support. The actor is still awaiting trial.
a big name actor was arrested earlier this year following the abduction
and rape of a popular actress in Kerala, industry figures soon tweeted
their support. The actor is still awaiting trial.
Actresses in Kerala have since set up a Women in Cinema Collective to make it easier to report sexual harassment.
In another widely reported case last month, a
leading Bollywood producer was arrested on charges of raping a
25-year-old aspiring actress and taking pictures of her naked.
leading Bollywood producer was arrested on charges of raping a
25-year-old aspiring actress and taking pictures of her naked.
But not everyone is convinced there is a problem.
Bipendra Nath Tiwari, president of the Federation
of Western India Cine Employees, an umbrella organisation of 22 unions,
said they had recently created a ‘health and safety’ committee that will
also look at sexual harassment cases.
of Western India Cine Employees, an umbrella organisation of 22 unions,
said they had recently created a ‘health and safety’ committee that will
also look at sexual harassment cases.
But he said the federation, which numbers 250,000
members including performers, sound technicians and make-up artists, had
never received any harassment complaints.
members including performers, sound technicians and make-up artists, had
never received any harassment complaints.
“Bollywood is a clean industry,” he added.
NOLLYWOOD
In Nollywood, actors said there was tacit
acceptance that sexual harassment was inevitable in the $3.3 billion
industry which turns out dozens of films every week.
acceptance that sexual harassment was inevitable in the $3.3 billion
industry which turns out dozens of films every week.
“There
are a lot of people abusing their position and demanding sexual
favours. I have had to turn down jobs, walk out of sets,” said Dorothy
Njemanze, who has worked in Nollywood for 15 years.
are a lot of people abusing their position and demanding sexual
favours. I have had to turn down jobs, walk out of sets,” said Dorothy
Njemanze, who has worked in Nollywood for 15 years.
“There are plenty, plenty times I didn’t get a part because I didn’t agree to sleep with somebody.”
A-List Nollywood actor Kanayo O. Kanayo said
actresses called him every day to say they were being pressured to sleep
with producers.
actresses called him every day to say they were being pressured to sleep
with producers.
But actress Eeefy Ike said if you complained, people within the industry would wonder why you were making a fuss.
“I’ve worked in Hollywood and had experience with
harassment there. The difference is that, in Africa, we don’t have any
functional laws,” she said.
harassment there. The difference is that, in Africa, we don’t have any
functional laws,” she said.
Faithia Balogun
“There is also a lot of poverty. In Hollywood, if acting doesn’t work
out, you can always go and get another job. In Nigeria, it’s difficult
to get another job so there is (more) pressure on women to sleep with
powerful men.”
Reuters