SCREENING IN THE BERNARD OSHER FOUNDATION AUDITORIUM
“Talati’s handling of the movie’s complex, often discomforting material is deft and empathetic, and as a first-time feature filmmaker, she has all the makings of a future auteur.”
117 minutes. Not Rated. Directed by Shuchi Talati. In Indian English and Hindi with English subtitles. DCP.
In a strict boarding school nestled in the Himalayas, Mira is a successful student shouldering high expectations from her parents and her teachers. But as she wrestles with new desires and ample curiosity inspired by the handsome Sri, she finds herself at odds with the school’s strict rules and her mother’s incessant involvement in her new romance. As Mira strives to escape the watchful eyes of her teachers, mother and fellow students and find time alone with Sri, Mira approaches learning about love with the same dedication that she applies to her studies, resulting in sometimes comic and shocking conclusions. While the film is a beautiful coming-of-age story, the romance between the lead protagonists is a sensitive exploration of female desire that observes how conservative cultures entrap women under strict expectations and norms.