Women in Collective Cinema Initiate 'Code Of Conduct' In Malyalam Film, Industry After MeToo Uproar

Muck In Mollywood: Following the formation of the Hema Committee Report the systematic injustices faced by women in Malayalam cinema came to light. The 235-page report details the shocking cases of sexual abuse and misconduct faced by women in the film industry, at their workplace. As an after-effect of the reports, other film industries too, demanded to publish a similar document. The Justice Hema Committee was founded on the persuasion of the Women In Collective Cinema. The body has now decided to issue a ‘Cinema of Code of Conduct’.

Women in Collective Cinema says it will issue a code of conduct to ‘rebuild’ Malayalam cinema 

The Women in Cinema Collective, an outfit of women professionals working in the Malayalam film industry, on September 7, said it would soon come up with a set of recommendations to "rebuild" the industry as an equal and safe workspace. In a Facebook post, the WCC expressed hope that all industry members would come in open solidarity and spirit to adopt a 'cinema code of conduct'. The Collective said in the wake of the publication of the Justice K Hema Committee report, it would commence a series with its proposed recommendations in this regard.

"To rebuild the Malayalam film industry as an equal and safe workspace for all, we are commencing a series today with our proposed recommendations. "We hope all industry members will come together in open solidarity & spirit to adopt a Cinema Code of Conduct that will help transform our film industry onscreen & offscreen for the better. Stay tuned !" the FB post said.

The WCC persuaded for Justice Hema Committee Report 

The outfit's action came weeks after the publication of the Justice K Hema Committee report which shed light on the alleged exploitations and ill-treatment of women in the Malayalam film industry. The committee was constituted by the Kerala government after the 2017 actress assault case and its redacted report revealing instances of harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam cinema industry.

Following the allegations of sexual harassment and exploitation cropping up against several actors and directors, the state government on August 25 announced the establishment of a seven-member special investigation team to probe them.