BOMBAY
EUNUCH
Saturday
October 20
3:00 P.M.
Little Theatre
A moving portrait of a eunuch family’s struggle to survive in today’s changing India, BOMBAY EUNUCH is an engrossing documentary following a small group of India’s almost 1.3 million eunuchs or "hijras." Born male, a hijra makes the choice to be castrated and is considered neither male nor female. Respected and feared throughout history for their reputed spiritual powers, the hijras have now become objects of ridicule and scorn, often resorting to prostitution and begging. Director Alexandra Shiva focuses on Meena, a surrogate mother and matriarch, and her eunuch family as they confront the challenges of poverty, prostitution, and AIDS. Both fascinating and heart-wrenching, BOMBAY EUNUCH offers a rare glimpse into this notoriously secretive community, giving us insight into a way of life that is disappearing.
BOMBAY EUNUCH; Sean MacDonald and Michelle Gukorsky, directors; 2001; USA; 71 minutes; video