WATCH: Fire

Young and old generations collide in Fire, the story of two daughters-in-law united through marriage who find solace in each other. The first of writer and director Deepa Mehta’s Elements Triology, Fire questions the traditions of Indian marriage, the duties of a wife, and the type of relations in which society is willing to accept.

The film’s principal characters involve Sita, the newly joined family member through marriage to the younger son Jatin, and his older brother Ashok. Married for 15 years to Radha, the four characters live above their take-away and video rental business in modern day Delhi. Together with their mother and “faithful” servant (A scene involving the servant and mute mother is laugh out loud hilarious), this typical Indian family works through the days to make ends meet. After hours, the audience is exposed to the apparent cracks within each relationship.

Together Sita and Radha find camaraderie as two strong women defying their duty to husband and braving a sense of independence despite the watchful eye of their mother-in-law. When friendship crosses the line into a sexual relationship, trouble begins to brew. In the end, the audience must decide how the movie truly plays out with a fade to black leaving the ultimate question unanswered.

Controversy ensued the release of Fire due to it’s depiction of homosexuality, an outwardly open affair,  and questions about Indian tradition and culture rarely touched on in Indian cinema.  Critics lauded the film with overwhelmingly positive reviews and audiences packed movie theaters for weeks. In the end, the film is most remembered as being a lesbian film which couldn’t be further from the truth. Call it the Indian Thelma and Louise if you must.

Western viewers will enjoy the movie’s English speaking actors with minor scattered Hindi phrases throughout the movie. Choices, bravery, respect and a love that goes beyond “duty” are told in a well written script.

Also by Deepa Mehta: Water

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