SEMBI

Director Prabhu Solomon effectively sets the tone and expectations for Sembi right from the introductory scene of the film. The visuals of a bus tumbling down a hill, accompanied by a dramatic background score, is followed by a narration in which the bus is personified and introduces itself as 'Anbu' (love). The makers of Sembi want viewers to understand that the bus is a character in the film and a metaphor for life. However, a line spoken by a goon later in the film feels out of place and takes away from the intended effect.

If you prefer subtle and realistic films, Sembi may not be your cup of tea. Nevertheless, Prabhu Solomon's story about Veerathaayi (Sarala), an elderly woman who makes a living by selling forest-based produce and her 10-year-old granddaughter Sembi (Nila), who live on a hilltop in Kodaikanal, strikes a chord. Their quiet life is disrupted when Sembi is sexually assaulted by three men, one of whom is the opposition leader Ezhil Vendan's son. The rest of the story follows Veerathaayi's fight for justice, with Nila's performance standing out. However, some scenes are overly melancholic, which could have been toned down to improve the overall impact.

Commercial women-centric films with social messaging have divided film critics and directors when it comes to better representation for women on the big screen. However, the potential impact of discussing themes like child sexual abuse (CSA) on the big screen cannot be ignored. Real-life examples, such as the case in Tamil Nadu, where a nine-year-old survivor of CSA confided in her mother and shared details about the abuser after watching Jyotika's 2020 legal drama Ponmagal Vandhal, show the power of such films. Prabhu manages to drive the message home with several scenes, including a detailed monologue about the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Unfortunately, Sembi, like many Tamil films, depicts graphic sexual violence in detail. Gory visuals of the survivor covered in blood and blood-soaked gloves dehumanize the survivor. Recent films like She Said (2022, English) have proven that sexual violence need not be filmed in detail for audiences to feel its impact. Additionally, a conversation between the antagonists, which the makers might have retained to make audiences take note of the abject horror they represent, ends up desensitizing viewers towards the seriousness of the crime.

Later in the film, a nameless 'hero' played by Ashwin helps Veerathayi and Sembi overcome obstacles on the bus. Ashwin's character, an observant advocate, is not the outlandish 'hero' who saves everyone, nor is he an understatedly compassionate stranger. Although Ashwin tries hard to charm on screen, he has more screen time than necessary, diverting the spotlight from Sarala's character. The other characters on the bus are slotted under the duality of 'good' and 'bad,' making them superficial. The writing also appears muddled in scenes where the director attempts to bring out the power imbalance between the characters on screen.

The makers of Sembi fail to acknowledge the apparent caste and class divide that enables the perpetrators. Prabhu's previous films have focused on forest-dwelling and tribal communities, but it's worth exploring whether his films accurately represent their social positioning, ground realities, and ordeals. The makers briefly focus on how sexual abuse is politicized and how it hardly benefits the survivors, but the attempt falls flat because the makers do not point fingers at anyone, and the seemingly 'apolitical' stance does not help.

However, despite its strengths and weaknesses, Sembi is a film that deserves recognition for attempting to tackle a difficult and sensitive issue. The film raises important questions about the justice system and the ways in which society responds to cases of child sexual abuse. It is a reminder that while progress has been made in terms of awareness and prevention of child sexual abuse, there is still much work to be done.

In conclusion, Sembi is a film that is likely to polarise audiences due to its portrayal of sensitive and controversial themes. While the director's intention to shed light on the issue of child sexual abuse is commendable, the execution of certain scenes and characters may leave some viewers uncomfortable. Nonetheless, the film is an important addition to the discourse surrounding the issue, and it should be viewed as a starting point for further discussions and action.