I’m incredibly excited to bring Moving Mountains and Ma Anand Sheela to the Netherlands. For me, this isn’t just a documentary screening; it’s an opportunity to build bridges and open up a crucial conversation. I believe it’s vital to hear stories firsthand, especially from women who have faced intense media scrutiny.
Think about it: how often do we get the full picture? How often are narratives shaped for us, rather than shared by the individual? Ma Anand Sheela’s story, as depicted in Moving Mountains, is complex and compelling, and it deserves to be heard directly from her.
I’m particularly interested in exploring how the media, especially Western media, portray women of colour in leadership positions. Did they get it right? Were they objective? Or did they contribute to a skewed narrative? These are important questions to ask. I will ask Ma Anand Sheela these questions live, during our Q&A session. But you can also contribute to this conversation by sharing your thoughts and asking questions to deepen this conversation.
As you might know already, I’m passionate about women’s empowerment, and I know that one of the most powerful tools we have is the ability to reclaim our own stories and our own history. Especially women! But to reclaim our own history we have to ask a ton of questions, rather than forming our opinions based on other people’s assumptions. Or letting the media tell us who we are; as a person, as a community and as part of world history!
Moving Mountains offers a chance to do just that – to reframe a dominant narrative and to understand a complex figure on her own terms. I hope this event sparks dialogue, challenges our assumptions, and ultimately, empowers us all to seek out the truth beyond the media headlines.
This is just the beginning this year! DesiYUP is committed to being a cultural change-maker in the Netherlands, and this year we’re developing a series of unique events designed to showcase the true meaning of Art – beyond stereotypes. Our concepts are developed with the sole mission to inspire and motivate, creating experiences that resonate deeply with our audiences.
We believe that Art has the power to connect us, to challenge our daily biases, and to move us into a transformation. And we’re confident that our innovative programming will make DesiYUP the go-to partner for cultural institutions looking to engage diverse audiences with meaningful and thought-provoking artistic experiences.
Don’t miss your chance to meet Ma Anand Sheela!
See you this Friday 21 February in de Doelen. Get your tickets now!
With Love
