The documentary from India “Writing with Fire” has been nominated for the 94th Academy Awards. The documentary was filmed by Delhi-based filmmakers Rintu Thomas and Sushmit Ghosh. The documentary was featured in the Best Documentary Feature category. The documentary has been nominated along with Flee, Summer of Soul, Ascension, and Attica. The Writing with Fire is the only Indian title nominated in 94th Oscar Awards (Academy Awards).
What is Writing with Fire about?
The documentary features a rural newspaper run by Dalit women called Khabar Lahariya. The newspaper was started in the Bundelkhand region by a Delhi-based NGO Nirantar in the year 2002. The documents represent the transition of Khabar Lahariya’s from print section to digital news in recent years. The film covers the story of Meera and her fellow journalists as they get acquainted with new technology whilst questioning patriarchy, investing incompetency of police force, and reporting stories about caste-based violence and gender-based violence.
The film has got more than 20 international awards to date. During an online conversation with the filmmakers, feminist icon Gloria Steinem has appreciated the film. While commenting about the film she said that India is her second home. She lived here for two years after college. She also said that India and USA are the two biggest and most diverse democracies in the world. Both countries need each other and must learn from each other. She termed the film as a revelation in all kinds of ways. She said that film makes it clear that literacy has been a barrier to journalism for all time.
The Washington Post called it the “most inspiring journalism move-maybe ever.” The Hollywood reporter commented that the sense of intimacy of film and immediacy makes the viewer feel like they are on a ride-along with journalists who are almost always bathed in flattering, natural light. Writing with Fire had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in 2021, where it won two awards – The Audience Award and a Special Jury Award. Since then, it has bagged more than 20 international awards. The film currently holds a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes.