Corporate Affairs (2008)

From the get-go, we see the multilayered dilemma Mala faced in her workspace as a woman of color. The story began at her office cubicle. Besides the heavy workload, this delivery package from her parents contained a family expectation for her to continue desi traditions. Mala seemed to be mentally closed-off and have tunnel vision about finishing her work, rejecting her friend’s help or enjoying the party. In a passive-aggressive manner, her boss addressed her as a woman, therefore “bad at multitasking,” and dismissed Mala’s request for help simultaneously, showing the toxic working environment.

After she accidentally fell over, Mala had eye-to-eye contact with the miniature deity that was exposed from the box sent by her parents. She carefully picked up the statue and placed it on the table. This is my favorite part of the series. Without words, the close-ups of the statue and Mala’s facial expressions displayed an echo of traditions and memories that formed the respect. This small interaction went beyond the sanitized beige office and guided us to imagine the culture in her upbringing. This wasn’t the last time she fell in this series, nor was it the last time she made a reconnection with her past.