The Indian High Commission in Canada has issued a statement urging the organisers of the ‘Rhythms of Canada’ festival to withdraw filmmaker Leena Manimekalai’s documentary Kaali from being screened. The statement comes after the documentary’s poster — featuring the Hindu deity Kali smoking and holding an LGBTQIA+ flag — drew widespread condemnation from right-wing groups.
The filmmaker was attacked online following the release of the poster of the documentary. The statement issued by the High Commission of India in Ottawa on Monday, July 4, states that they received complaints from leaders of the Hindu community in Canada about “disrespectful depiction of Hindu Gods” on the poster, which was showcased as part of the ‘Under The Tent’ project.
Noting that the concerns have been communicated to the organisers of the event, the statement also mentioned that several Hindu groups have approached authorities in Canada to take action against the documentary. “We urge the Canadian authorities and the event organisers to withdraw all such provocative material,” the statement read.
Leena Manimekalai, who made her feature film debut with Maadathy: An Unfairy Tale, shared the poster of Kaali on Twitter on Saturday. Several social media users alleged that the poster hurt the religious sentiments of the Hindu community and used the hashtag ‘Arrest Leena Manimekalai’.
Please see a Press Released issued by @HCI_Ottawa @MEAIndia @IndianDiplomacy @PIB_India @DDNewslive @IndiainToronto @cgivancouver pic.twitter.com/DGjQynxYJS
— India in Canada (@HCI_Ottawa) July 4, 2022
Responding to the attacks, Leena posted part of her interview with BBC Tamil and Vikatan, where she says that she will continue to use her voice for as long as she is alive. "I have nothing to lose. Till the time I live, I wish to live with a voice that speaks what I believe without fear. If the price for that is my life, it can be given," the filmmaker tweeted.
In another tweet, she urged people to watch the documentary to understand the context behind the poster. “The film is about the events during Kaali's strolls through the streets of Toronto city one fine evening. If they watch the movie, they will put the hashtag 'love you Leena Manimekalai' rather than 'Arrest Leena Manimekalai'," the tweet read.
“எனக்கு இழப்பதற்கு ஒன்றுமில்லை. இருக்கும் வரை எதற்கும் அஞ்சாமல் நம்புவதைப் பேசும் குரலோடு இருந்துவிட விரும்புகிறேன். அதற்கு விலை என் உயிர் தான் என்றால் தரலாம்” https://t.co/fEU3sWY4HK
— Leena Manimekalai (@LeenaManimekali) July 4, 2022
ஒரு மாலைப்பொழுது, டோரோண்டோ மாநகரத்தில காளி தோன்றி வீதிகளில் உலா வரும்போது நடக்கிற சம்பவங்கள் தான் படம். படத்தைப்பார்த்தா “arrest leena manimekalai” hashtag போடாம “love you leena manimekalai” hashtag போடுவாங்க.✊ https://t.co/W6GNp3TG6m
— Leena Manimekalai (@LeenaManimekali) July 4, 2022