The story of India’s only women-led news outlet is heading stateside. Women and Hollywood can exclusively reveal that Music Box Films has acquired rights to “Writing with Fire,” Rintu Thomas and Sushmit Ghosh’s documentary about the women of Khabar Lahariya (Waves of News), a publication dedicated to highlighting stories missing from the mainstream media and exposing widespread discrimination based on gender and caste.
The winner of two awards at Sundance 2021, the doc sees the journalists preparing to transition from print to digital.
“We’re thrilled to bring ‘Writing with Fire’ to U.S. audiences,” said Brian Andreotti, Head of Acquisitions at Music Box Films. “We admire the story-telling and thoughtful examination of Rintu Thomas and Sushmit Ghosh as they shine a light on complex social issues by giving agency to those fighting for justice. A film like this has the power to drive social change.”
Thomas added, “‘Writing with Fire’ has found a lot of love in its journey and we’re very happy to partner with Music Box, who’ll be bringing this film to a wider U.S. audience. We’re confident that this partnership will amplify the essence of the film, which articulates a bold re-imagining of our future.”
The film made its world premiere in January at Sundance, where it took home the Audience Award in the World Cinema – Documentary section and a Special Jury Prize for Impact and Change.
“In our popular culture, we are not used to seeing Dalit women, whose caste is designated as ‘untouchable,’ in positions of power — as leaders, colleagues, risk-takers, and bosses. In taking an intimate, observational approach to our process of filming, I knew I had the opportunity to locate the story in this rare, dynamic space that the world has not experienced so far,” Thomas shared in an interview with us. She added, “To the audience of this film, I hope they are affirmed that another world of possibilities exists, if we only allow ourselves to reimagine.”
“Writing with Fire” has also screened at fests such as Hot Docs, CPH:DOX, and the Seattle International Film Festival. The film’s U.S. theatrical premiere is slated for November 26 at Film Forum in New York and the Laemmle Royal in Los Angeles. A national rollout will follow with home entertainment plans for early next year.
