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India Cabaret (1985) Online

India Cabaret (1985) Online
Original Title :
India Cabaret
Genre :
Movie / Documentary
Year :
1985
Directror :
Mira Nair
Type :
Movie
Time :
1h
Rating :
7.4/10
India Cabaret (1985) Online

India Cabaret (1985) is a documentary by Mira Nair exploring the "respectable" and "immoral" stereotypes of women in Indian society told from the point of view of 2 strip-tease dancers in a cabaret house in Bombay. There are no voice-overs by either the cabaret dancers nor the men who were interviewed who frequented the cabaret club. Nair explores the marginalized quite often in her films, male and female. This time it is the marginalized women in Bombay who have been cast out because of the 'nature' of their jobs. The women themselves are not ashamed of what they do for a living; what they prize more is the fact that they do not have to be at the mercy of the men in their lives [husbands, brothers, fathers or lovers] as their female peers. They earn their own living, 'decently' ; they are free to come and go as they please and do not have to follow the rules imposed by men or worse society. One of the dancers is offered the opportunity to end her stint at the club and 'clean up' her ...

This is featured on the 20disc DVD & Blu-ray for Monsoon Wedding (2001).


User reviews

Xig

Xig

In 1988, before SALAAM BOMBAY brought international fame, Mira Nair filmed four TV documentaries investigating diverse aspects of Indian society. INDIA CABARET was one of them, one which won the Indian Director a few international festival awards for best documentary.

As in the festivals, this TV film is currently being shown here in 16mm format, offering cinematic images, during its 58 minutes of duration. Set in a decadent Bombay night club, INDIA CABARET shows us two strippers discussing their lives, revealing several female stereotypes within Indian (more precisely, Bombay) society.

This work is of female interest, in the social sense (not just for women, but for those eager to explore situations faced by women) worldwide. Like others in this film cycle entitled "Women in Turmoil" presented by a prestigious national cultural center, it is recommended for those interested in the themes exposed in what is a quality documentary.