“When I first watched the film SON RISE I knew, filmmaker Vibha Bakshi had created a masterpiece! This striking documentary will move you, taking you across a landscape of emotions, as it challenges a society from within to break down patriarchal barriers and to protect and empower its girls.” – Smita Suchde Grütter

To celebrate International Women’s Day 2021, and it’s theme of #choosetochallenge, HEMLATA is honored to be teaming up with multi-award winning film director Vibha Bakshi, to screen one of the most talked about films of this year – SON RISE – a path breaking award winning documentary that is changing the narrative on gender inequality and gender justice globally.

SON RISE is filmed in the strongly patriarchal state of Haryana, bordering India’s capital, New Delhi. Illegal, yet rampant female foeticide has led to the eerie absence of girls in hundreds of villages, leading to a skewed sex-ratio, and provoking an unprecedented number of crimes against women. It is is from these darkest corners, that the filmmaker finds hope amongst ordinary people doing the ‘extraordinary’ in breaking the shackles of patriarchy and challenging the traditions of male dominance. Unveiled by United Nations Under-Secretary General Madame Phumzile, the film will be showcased as part of the United Nations global #HeForShe movement across 71 countries.