https://mubi.com/en/in/collections/leena-manimekalai?fbclid=IwY2xjawJ9h5RleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFQbERYdTg2UVlVV3BWaVNUAR5VW5CK_WMHXjEqqpyw6dtSGqYA5t8tM3rh0wNhYIH51_CCneT_gHzp4j5hDw_aem_ZXfEMoDOdNcTtA-lNSJ9aQ

“My work is always informed by my life and my life is always informed by my heart that is eternally yearning for something meaningful and free.” –Leena Manimekalai

Art and politics go hand in hand in the world of Tamil filmmaker, poet, and activist Leena Manimekalai. Known for her intensely candid takes on society’s failings, Manimekalai’s diverse body of work is a testament to her enduring efforts to give a voice to the marginalized.

A firm believer in participatory filmmaking, Manimekalai ensures that the subjects of her films are actively involved in the working process. This collaborative approach lends remarkable depth and authenticity to her works while also reflecting an empathy for her protagonists. Manimekalai casts her subjects in a humane light, gently tapping into their vulnerabilities, which in turns makes them immensely relatable to audiences. Manimekalai frequently uses contemplative long takes to capture landscapes, and closeups to observe subjects, creating a fluid balance between the inner and outer worlds of her protagonists.

Right from her debut feature Sengadal, the Dead Sea, looking at the lives of displaced Sri Lankan-Tamil fishermen, to the most recent work Maadathy, an Unfairy Tale, which probes the intersection of caste and patriarchal oppression, Manimekalai has consistently carved a niche for herself in challenging societal constructs. We are thrilled to spotlight the works of this fierce voice, one that provokes us to examine our social conscience.