Synopsis of the film

‘Not every time …’ is an account of a mass-movement in Eastern Punjab. This movement initiated after the rape and murder of college student in 1997 still continues as the leaders of the movement are paying the price of raising a women’s issue in a patriarchal society. The film explores different aspects of the issue; social, political, legal and cultural through rural oral narrative. This movement invokes different identities (history, kinship, social, political and ideological) on a gender issue. Furthermore the participation of women in the movement and their approach to the space hitherto known as predominantly male space seems to be questioning the issue to be of ‘living being’ rather than of the ‘victim’. The film is a multilayered narrative that has many subtexts. The narrative of the film raises questions instead of providing answers. It is an attempt to document a struggle on the periphery, which could not become subject for journalism and academics despite a long span of nine years and regular participation of thousands of people. The film questions the notion of national-security associated with border and arsenals and obviates the insecurity of womenfolk as major issue. Through retired army personnel the film invites to rethink the very notion of national security and places confident citizenry in general and women in particular at higher pedestal than nuclear bombs.

This film was completed in August 2006