Please Mind The Gap preview: Going beyond a man or a woman’s tale

The world for a majority of humans is classified into two genders — man and woman. Straight in sexual orientation and thinking, but blinded to the plight of the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) community. India recently freed itself from a draconian law [Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code] that criminalised gay sex. The move, while granting equal rights, will empower filmmakers to fearlessly tell more such stories.

Directors Mitali Trivedi and Gagandeep Singh take us for a ride on a Delhi metro, where a brave transgender opens up about his life, and the challenges that his ilk face each day while commuting and socialising.

Shot across various stations of the Delhi metro, Trivedi and Singh’s Please Mind The Gap is told entirely through one character. Apart from the views of the protagonists, the film exposes the gaping holes and limitedness in thinking of people when classifying gender.

As India enters a new phase of acceptance, post the abolition of Section 377, Trivedi and Singh’s short film will encourage more filmmakers to touch upon issues that have been considered taboo. It’s not preachy, but simply opens our eyes to the world of their protagonist. Watch the film purely for the courage of the individual.

Please Mind The Gap will be screened at the Open Frame Film Festival 2018 at the India International Centre, New Delhi, on 16 September at 2:30pm.