Acclaimed doc profiles journalism in the face of incredible odds

Acclaimed doc profiles journalism in the face of incredible odds

On Thursday, January 6th, at the Emerson Center for the Arts & Culture, the Bozeman Doc Series presents the Montana premiere of the multiple-award winning new documentary, Writing with Fire. The film screens at 7pm.

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.

Writing with Fire world-premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Audience Award in the World Cinema Documentary category as well as the Special Jury Award: Impact for Change.

“The most inspiring journalism movie – maybe ever. An essential portrait of the fight for press freedom… Writing
with Fire reminds us that there are always people who, despite incredible odds, will choose to do this work.” – The Washington
Post

“As this engaging and hopeful documentary by Rintu Thomas and Sushmit Ghosh shows, words have the power to change things when wielded carefully… ‘I believe journalism is the essence of democracy,’ says Meera. Watching this will make you believe it too.” – Screen International

“Insightful and inspirational… the film’s sense of intimacy and immediacy makes the viewer feel like they’re on a ride-along with the journalists… the filmmakers illuminate the change that can happen when the most marginalized members of a society empower themselves…” – The Hollywood Reporter

Tickets are available at the door or before the show online at www.bozemandocseries.org. Note: Masks will be required and capacity will be limited to provide for social distancing in the theater. Visit the website to buy Season Passes and 7-film punch cards, learn more about the series, and view trailers for upcoming films. The series will continue every other Thursday
through April. •