‘Bloody Phanek’ All Set for World Premiere in South Korea
Imphal, Sep 20: Sonia Nepram’s ‘Bloody Phanek’ is ready to hit the big screen this month during the 9th DMZ International Documentary Film Festival 2017, which will be held at Gyeonggi-do in South Korea from 20 to 28 September.
I September 26 (7pm, Megabox Paju Bookcity)
II September 28 (5pm, Megabox Baekseok)
Check out the press kit of the film!
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Sonia Nepram |
Phanek is an exclusive wear of Manipuri women. It is the mark of identity, which serves more than the purpose of simple clothing. This cloth carries an infinite symbolism revolving around both sexes. For instance, when people leave home, they carry a piece of their mothers’ phanek, using it as a token of protection and well-being. As it exists in other societies, this attire for women has a unique global appeal with its beauty; and similar to other cultures around the world, certain socio-cultural norms dictate how women wear a phanek.
Historical records show that strict codes of conduct were imposed on Manipuri women to adorn only the phanek with specific designs, colours and even the draping style, depending on occasions or occupations. Breaking these codes could lead the wearer to excommunication. Also the belief of ill-health and misfortune that could befall on the wearer is still prevalent today. In olden days, kings wore shirts made of phanek when they went to a battle with the belief that they would return victorious! Nothing is, however, mentioned about how it is impure and it can be used as a tool of protest.
Customarily, men are forbidden to touch a woman’s phanek, especially the used pieces. It is unimaginable for men to touch it. In popular culture, films and dramas portray how men would cringe when they are close to a phanek, regardless of the fact that it is literally an indispensable object throughout a lifetime.
In Manipur, women have always been at the forefront in any social and political issue. Phanek is significant again, which is evident both from the wearers as well as from the manners they use it for such symbolic use like blocking roads. However, back in their homes, they cannot keep their phanek together with their husbands’ clothes. In a conservative society, this is seemingly natural yet intriguing.
‘Bloody Phanek’ aims to discover how Manipuri women use phanek as a medium of protest, while it explores the concept of impurity and how this attire challenges masculinity.
Stills from the film (Courtesy: Yelhoumee Pictures):
For more information:
E/ sonia@yelhoumee.org
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