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Writing With Fire

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Overview

Reporting from a social environment built to divide based on caste and gender, a fearless group of journalists maintain India’s only women-led news outlet. The women of Khabar Lahariya (‘Waves of News’), all from the Dalit (“untouchables”) caste, prepare to transition the newspaper from print to digital even though many of their reporters don’t have access to electricity at home. Armed with smartphones, Chief Reporter Meera and her team of investigative journalists confront some of India’s biggest issues – exposing the relentless discrimination against women and amplifying the voices of those who suffer from the oppressive caste system. WRITING WITH FIRE chronicles the astonishing determination of these local reporters as they empower each other and hold those responsible for injustice to account. Reaching new audiences through their growing platform, the women of Khabar Lahariya redefine what it means to be powerful in this timely and inspiring documentary.

Reactions, Awards & Festivals

2022 Acadamy Award Nominee for Best Documentary Feature

NYTimes Critic's Pick

"Rousing...nothing short of galvanizing."

Devika Girish

New York Times

“Invigorating and inspiring”

Robert Abele

Los Angeles Times

IDA Documentary Awards Best Features Nominee

World Cinema - 2021 Audience Award

2021 Sundance Film Festival

Sundance Special Jury Award: Impact for Change ‘21

2021 Sundance Film Festival

BlackStar Film Festival: Best Feature documentary

BlackStar Film Festival: Audience Awards

San Francisco Film Festival: Best Feature Documentary

Wisconsin Film Festival: Audience Award

Seattle International Film Festival: Special Jury Prize

Washington DC Filmfest: Justice Matters Award

“The most inspiring journalism movie — maybe ever.”

Jason Rezaian

The Washington Post

“Writing With Fire smashes Indian patriarchy.”

Naman Ramachandran

Variety

“A fearless fight for real news…"

Kate Erbland

IndieWire

“A stirring and inspiring documentary about some very courageous women.”

Alissa Wilkinson

Vox

Cast & Crew
  • Featuring : Meera Devi
  • Featuring : Suneeta Prajapati
  • Featuring : Shyamkali Devi
  • Directed by : Rintu Thomas and Sushmit Ghosh
  • Cinematography by : Sushmit Ghosh and Karan Thapliyal
  • Editing by : Sushmit Ghosh and Rintu Thomas
  • Supervising Editor : Anne Fabini
  • Produced by : Sushmit Ghosh and Rintu Thomas
  • Executive Producers : Patty Quillin and Hallee Adelman
  • Co-producers : John Webster and Tone Grottjord-Glenne
  • Associate Producers : Bhumika Tikhatri and Sumit Sharma
  • Original Score by : Tajdar Junaid
Technical Info
  • Release Date : November 26, 2021
  • Year : 2021
  • Country : India
  • Language : Hindi with English subtitles
  • Running Time : 98 Minutes
  • Aspect Ratio : 1.85
  • Projection Format : DCP
  • Rating : Not Rated
  • Genre : Documentary
Theatrical Engagements
Theater Name
City
State
Date
New York
New York
11/26/2021
Los Angeles
California
11/26/2021
Chicago
Illinois
11/26/2021
Austin
Texas
11/26/2021
San Francisco
California
12/03/2021
Seattle
Washington
12/03/2021
Portland
Oregon
12/03/2021
Indianapolis
Indiana
12/03/2021
Boca Raton
Florida
12/03/2021
Los Angeles
California
12/03/2021
Denver
Colorado
12/03/2021
Downers Grove
Illinois
12/13/2021
Albuquerque
New Mexico
12/03/2021
Brunswick
Maine
12/03/2021
Winston-Salem
North Carolina
12/17/2021
Hudson
New York
12/26/2021
Boulder
Colorado
01/05/2022
Bozeman
Montana
01/06/2022
Lincoln
Nebraska
01/07/2022
Pleasantville
New York
01/13/2022
Mesilla
New Mexico
01/14/2022
Tacoma
Washington
01/18/2022
Nashville
Tennessee
01/25/2022
Houston
Texas
01/28/2022
Portland
Maine
01/28/2022
Detroit
Michigan
01/29/2022
Chatham
New York
01/30/2022
Rochester
New York
02/04/2022
Madison
Wisconsin
02/12/2022
Hanover
New Hampshire
02/13/2022
New York
New York
02/18/2022
Oakland
California
02/18/2022
Camas
Washington
02/18/2022
Bethel
Connecticut
03/18/2022
Rochester
New York
03/18/2022
Traverse City
Michigan
03/18/2022
Frankfort
Michigan
03/18/2022
Charlottesville
Virginia
03/18/2022
New Orleans
Louisiana
03/18/2022
Oklahoma City
Oklahoma
03/18/2022
Beacon
New York
03/18/2022
San Rafael
California
03/23/2022
Chicago
Illinois
03/25/2022
Port Townsend
Washington
03/25/2022
Cincinnati
Ohio
03/25/2022
St. Petersburg
Florida
03/25/2022
Chapel Hill
North Carolina
03/25/2022
Omaha
Nebraska
03/25/2022
Amherst
Massachusetts
03/25/2022
Evanston
Illinois
04/07/2022
Missoula
Montana
05/09/2022
DVD/Blu-Ray Special Features
  • Firemaking: The Story of Writing With Fire
  • Filmmaker Q&A from DOCNYC Premiere
  • Theatrical Trailer

* Writing With Fire is currently only available on DVD.