More Than Masala: Indian Food and Culture Through Film
A woman's life is turned upside-down as she struggles to be the submissive wife that her new husband and his family expect her to be. Q&A to follow.
This 2021 Malayalam film portrays the journey of a newlywed woman who struggles to conform to the traditional and patriarchal expectations of her in-laws and new husband in a traditional middle-class household. Initially, she tries to adapt to the monotonous and demanding routine of cooking, cleaning, and other domestic duties. However, her frustration continues to grow and she moves toward rebellion, highlighting issues of gender inequality and the stifling nature of domesticity in a patriarchal society. [100 min; comedy, drama; Malayalam with English subtitles]
A Q&A with Radhika Parameswaran (Herman B Wells Endowed Professor, Media School) will follow the screening.
"Terrific, trenchant film, whose director Jeo Baby questions patriarchy and gender expectations, and looks at the very real possibility of smashing it." — Shubhra Gupta, The Indian Express
"The Great Indian Kitchen has to be the most powerful film on patriarchy in recent years and it makes for a very important watch. Its lead actor Nimisha Sajayan is unbelievably convincing." — Haricharan Pudipeddi, Hindustan Times
"Makes practitioners of patriarchy squirm in their seats." — S. R. Praveen, The Hindu
Any film screened at IU Cinema may contain content that viewers find sensitive or upsetting. Visit our Audience Advisories page to learn more.
