writing with fire

19 September 2021

15:00

Brief Synopsis:

In the heart of Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state (200 million inhabitants), also a state known for its notorious levels of corruption, violence against women and the brutal oppression of its minorities, emerges India’s only newspaper run by Dalit (‘lowcaste’) women. Armed with smartphones, Chief Reporter Meera and her 28 semi-literate, professionally trained journalists break traditions, be it on the frontlines of India’s biggest issues or within the confines of their homes, redefining what it means to be powerful.

TRAILER

Directed by: Rintu Thomas, Sushmit Ghosh
Production: Rintu Thomas, Sushmit Ghosh
Producer: Rintu Thomas, Sushmit Ghosh
Editing: Sushmit Ghosh, Rintu Thomas
Cinematography: Sushmit Ghosh, Karan Thapliyal
Running time: 93’
Country: India
Year: 2021
Contacts: Stephanie Fuchs | stephanie@autlookfilms.com

Director’s note:

We were interested in seeing how Dalit women would employ technology and the internet to amplify their voice; when most print broadsheets in the world were uneasily adapting to the digital medium, we were witnessing rural women strategise to grow in a highly competitive ‘upper-caste’, male-dominated news landscape; and in their work for justice, they began redefining how Dalit women are perceived in Indian society.