Indian filmmaker Srivinay Salian's short film Stripped tells the story, mostly through thought-provoking imagery, of Ana, a well educated and liberated young woman whose days are filled with a sense of violation due to living in a society where ogling of an attractive woman is popular and rather acceptable. Because it's not a crime, Ana is forced to live with this constant sense of violation and devaluing.

Through simple yet effective imagery, Salian brings this sense of violation and devaluing powerfully to life. Stripped narrates Ana's daily life experiences and how they make her feel. This is created not just by performance, but in the film's lensing and editing that is often abrupt and uncomfortable. While I wouldn't dare be dramatic enough to say that Salian gives the audience a sense of Ana's experience, the truth is that Salian doesn't worry about making us comfortable with what Ana endures.

Stripped is a short and memorable film that will certainly appeal to those who appreciate cinema centered around women's rights and issues related to sexual violence. The film doesn't so much tell a story as it simply shares an experience that is far too common for women worldwide. For more information on the film, visit its official website.

© Written by Richard Propes
The Independent Critic