Ulrike Mothes

In the »Women’s Police Station« in Bangalore, 31 policewomen handle complaints and charges brought by women. In the course of their work, they not only mediate family and dowry conflicts but also defend their authority against accused spouses and fathers-in-law and philosophise about the perfect wedding.

The film focuses on domestic violence cases and criminal activities surrounding the practise of dowries, which are still widespread in extended Indian families. The station is supposed to enable women who are dependent on their social structures to report cases of discrimination and assault without having to suffer the indignities of dealing with male authorities. Ulrike Mothes paints a portrait of the policewomen Bhagia, Shakunthala and Sarojamma, who in their khaki coloured saris represent an authority that Indian men often find difficult to accept. As daughters and wives, they too are bound up in the same power dynamic experienced by the women who seek out their help. From their perspective, the film portrays the hopes and fears of women fighting for their rights. In observing the policewomen, unusual facets of police work unfold, leading to mediated discussions with gathered extended families illuminated by flickering neon lights.