Rupa is determined to create a safe space to talk about the representation of women and their relationships with their bodies and selves. “Where else are people discussing this?” she points out. “We live in a country where women’s bodies are treated as objects and a commodity. I want to reclaim our bodies for ourselves.”
As Mathu and Thina got more involved in “Skin and Soul”, both of them became stronger advocates for feminism - which was exactly what Rupa hoped for. “I’m proud that Mathu and Thina’s views on women’s issues in Malaysia expanded tremendously, and they are more acutely aware of the facts and ongoing problems in Malaysia,” she shares.
For Rupa, the first episode, available on the website, is their strongest as it focuses on how badly men tend to treat women. This episode attracted a male audience, moving them to reflect on their actions - or inaction. The stories shared were responses to the questions that came from her own lived experience. “It is about the collective story, not a singular narrative,” she adds.
The creative process of bringing stories to life