BEMIDJI, Minn. (Nov. 2, 2009) — The women’s studies and gender studies programs at Bemidji State University are sponsoring a screening of the feature film “Provoked” as part of their activities in support of November as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The film screening will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, in the Crying Wolf Room of the upper Hobson Memorial Union.

Based on a true story, the 2006 English film “Provoked” tells the story of an Indian woman named Kiranjit who migrated to England, suffered abuse at the hands of her husband. After years of silently accepting the abuse, she set her husband on fire in an act of self-defense and was sentenced to life in prison on a murder charge by the British court. After hearing of her case, a group of women tries to get Kiranjit’s case retried and have her found not guilty on the basis of self-defense.

“Provoked” was directed by Jag Mundhra and stars Aishwarya Rai as the abused wife Kiranjit Ahluwalia, Naveen Andrews as her husband Deepak, and Miranda Richardson.

Following the film, Dr. Janet Prater, professor of criminal justice, will be on hand to lead a discussion about domestic violence. Prater’s special interest is the broad area of domestic violence. As an attorney, she has represented numerous clients who have been accused of fighting back against or killing abusive partners or family members, typically pursuing a defense of self defense.

At Bemidji State, Prater teaches courses on domestic violence, civil law, criminal law, the judicial process, criminal justice diversity and offender intervention.

For more information, please contact the women’s studies program at (218) 755-2803.

ON THE WEB:
• “Provoked” at IMDB.com: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0458072/