When Namrah was first born her mother had a vision of a tigress. That is how she was named. Tonight, Namrah is lighting a fire for Bengali New Year, and as the light begins to chase the shadows away she feels like dancing. She has not always felt that way.
Two years ago was a dark time for Namrah. It was raining the day a neighbour tricked her to leave her village. In Kolkata she had to do things she did not want to do; she was angry and filled with self-disgust. Early one morning she was rescued. But when she returned home, the villagers bullied her and her brother beat her for the shame she had brought on the family. An elderly uncle stepped in and took her to a support group for trafficked girls. Now, when others call her names, Namrah stands strong, lifts her chin and answers, ‘No, my name is Namrah, the tigress.’
Still I rise is a short, animated hybrid-doc tackling the stigmatisation trafficked girls face when they return home.