Beautiful, colourful hills and lakes of India are seen in clips of old Bollywood films, juxtaposed against the bare, isolating landscapes of Williams Lake, BC.

It’s here that Because We Are Girls, documentarian Baljit Sangra’s third major film, begins.

The NFB-produced, feature-length documentary follows sisters Jeeti, Salakshana, and Kira Pooni as they navigate the Canadian justice system in their small BC town, and overcome the cultural stigma of sexual assault in their South Asian family.

The interwoven scenes parlay an emotional contrast for the Pooni sisters, who are fighting for justice from a dark, decades-old secret–sexual abuse at the hands of a trusted family member–while healing together in survivorhood.

“The Me Too movement gained a lot of momentum around 2017, and they were waiting to testify at that time,” Sangra imparts.

Only about 1 per cent of historical sexual abuse cases reach the Supreme Court, as the opening sequence explains.

“They were breaking their silence, but they were hearing a lot of other women come forward at the same time. It really felt like they were part of that movement, and that they were going to be voices in that movement.”

The story focuses on the sisters and spotlights their childhood experiences, holding a mirror up to internalized patriarchy.

“They were living in a northern town, which was isolating and had a small South Asian community,” says Sangra. “Going to the cinema and seeing a Bollywood movie was the happiest childhood memory for all three of the sisters.”

In Bollywood movies, Sangra says, “things always work out.” Amidst the biting cold in the northern town, the films offered a cultural connection to their parents’ native India while providing a fantasy.

“[Bollywood movies] are escapist, but it also reinforces the social and cultural values that were happening at home. The heroines in those movies always had to be very pure and virginal, and even if there was a misunderstanding around something she may not have done, because it was shameful, she gets shunned. When I revisit those movies, as a woman, you’re like ‘Wow, that really dictated how I thought women should be.’”

Because We Are Girls delves into the Pooni family’s past, but it begs the question: why now?

“We’re talking about this family, and social and cultural values, but everyone can relate to it,” Sangra says. “There’s a real spotlight on these issues now, globally.”

Thematically, the film aims to step into a more feminist future by healing the past.

“They told their truth, it’s very powerful for their daughters, and healing for them. It’s very hard to get a case to this stage: the crown has to believe this is a strong case, which means people believe you, and this film is meant to amplify that.”

Because We Are Girls opens DOXA Festival on May 3 at the Vancouver Playhouse, followed by a hosted discussion with Director Baljit Sangra and the Pooni family. You can buy DOXA Festival Passes here.