Writing with Fire (2021)

I don’t get excited about documentary films very often, but “Writing With Fire” is one that I loved from start to finish. The filmmaking team of Rintu Thomas and Sushmit Ghosh have crafted an inspiring feature about the women journalists who run Khabar Lahariya, India’s only all-female news network. You likely haven’t heard of them before, but you’ll be inspired by their fearless work after watching this film. The subjects of the documentary are all incredible, strong women who have had enough. The film documents the newspaper’s evolution from print to the digital age, and their fearless reporting takes off globally with a growing YouTube counter. As chief editor Meera puts it, journalism is the essence of democracy and a vehicle for fighting for justice. She and her staff understand the huge responsibility that rests on their shoulders, and they bravely take on the corruption from the major political party, demand answers from the ineffective local police force, expose unsafe working condition of miners, bring the neglect of India’s citizens at the hands of authorities to the forefront of the conversation, relentlessly persue justice for women who are raped (unchecked sexual assault is a huge problem in their country), and refuse to be intimidated by those in power (who happen to be men). India has been declared one of the most dangerous places in the world to practice journalism, but these brave, strong, and intelligent ladies keep reporting in spite of the threats. Their fortitude is one we should all admire. “Writing With Fire” is an entertaining, engaging, well-made, and inspiring film about women making a positive difference not only in their own country, but around the globe.