The Kerala Story

Introduction: “The Kerala Story” is a film directed by Sudipto Sen that aims to shed light on the issue of the radicalisation and trafficking of non-Muslim girls to join the Islamic State. Based on real stories, the film follows the journey of three nursing students in Kerala who are brainwashed by an extremist group into thinking that only Islam can be the guiding light. While the premise demands attention and emotional investment, the treatment of the subject in the film has been widely criticised for its divisive tone and lack of nuance.

Director: Sudipto Sen

Writer: Sudipto Sen

Stars: Adah Sharma, Siddhi Idnani, Sonia Balani, Yogita Bihani, and Ravi Kale.

Release Date: 5 May 2023 (India)

Genres: Drama, Thriller

Runtime: 1h 34min

The Burlesque Treatment:

The movie, according to critics, is more burlesque than a sincere depiction of the problem. The director seems to be more interested in local politics than cinematic sagacity, and the gaze is emotionally exploitative. The film maintains a divisive tone, and the characters are either gullible girls eager to buy the propaganda or sly creatures with Muslim names. There is no voice of sanity, and nuance is nowhere to be found. With so much pain on paper, the treatment demanded a soft, subtle touch, but Sen seems keen on hammering the message throughout.

Lack of Nuance:

The film lacks nuance and sensitivity towards a sensitive issue that demands both. The characters in the film are one-dimensional, and there is no attempt to delve deeper into their motivations or circumstances. The gullible girls are shown as brainwashed, naive, and foolish, while the sly creatures with Muslim names are portrayed as manipulative and evil. Such a lack of nuance can be harmful as it reinforces negative stereotypes and stigmatises entire communities.

Emotionally Exploitative:

The gaze in the film is emotionally exploitative, and the director seems more interested in eliciting a visceral reaction from the audience rather than telling a story with depth and sensitivity. The film maintains a divisive tone, and the treatment of the subject is more guided by local politics than cinematic sagacity. Such a treatment of a sensitive issue can be harmful as it can further polarise communities and stoke hate.

• Conclusion: “The Kerala Story” is a film that demands attention and emotional investment, but the treatment of the subject lacks nuance and sensitivity. The film maintains a divisive tone, and the characters are one-dimensional, reinforcing negative stereotypes and stigmatising entire communities. The gaze is emotionally exploitative, and the treatment of the subject is more guided by local politics than cinematic sagacity. A subject as sensitive as the radicalisation and trafficking of non-Muslim girls to join the Islamic State deserves a nuanced and sensitive treatment, which “The Kerala Story” fails to deliver.

For more detailed information: Click here.

Please visit on my another post: Click here.