Let this serve as a harsh but necessary reminder that real, intersectional feminism still has a ways to go.
What it's about
In a small Indian village, a father will stop at nothing to hold the three men who assaulted his 13-year-old daughter.
The take
To Kill a Tiger should not be an easy watch. It’s about the gang rape of 13-year-old Kiran, a girl whose small village has shunned and blamed her for “not knowing better,” and who is being forced by community leaders to marry her abuser to “erase the stain” on herself. But instead of leaning on sensationalism, Director Nisha Pahuja tells Kiran’s story with so much care and sensitivity that it feels refreshing and ultimately inspiring to watch. Pahuja hones in on Kiran’s relationship with her father, Ranjit, who stands by her daughter despite the pressure imposed by his community to do otherwise. The filmmakers note that he’s the rare man to pursue justice for his wronged daughter, and we can see through intimate conversations among the villagers, lawmakers, and social workers how brave and novel Kiran and Ranjit’s journey is. To Kill a Tiger is not an easy watch, but under Pahuja’s deft direction, the discomfort feels necessary, and the relationships heart-aching but uplifting.
What stands out
The cinematography by Mrinal Desai is breathtaking. That he and Pahuja are able to find beauty in a bleak situation, the sort of beauty that Kiran and Ranjit are willing to fight for, is just as impressive as anything in the film.
Comments
Add a comment
Your name
Your comment
UP NEXT
UP NEXT
UP NEXT
More like this in
The Guilty (2018)
A minimalist, razor-sharp thriller that will have you gasping for air.
9.0
System Crasher (2019)
A tale of trauma and one of the most talked about movies on Netflix in 2020.
9.0
His Three Daughters (2024)
Three sisters deal with life and death in this moving family portrait
8.9
Hail Satan? (2019)
Forget everything you think you know about the Satanic Temple
8.0
Incendies (2011)
Part melodrama, part war thriller, Incendies is gorgeous and heartbreaking from the first scene
9.9
Cold War (2018)
A quiet Polish masterpiece with ravishing music and dazzling visuals
9.2
Short Term 12 (2013)
Sweet, slow-moving, and possibly life-changing, this American drama shines the light on the chaos and crises of social work in America
9.9
Wild Tales (2014)
Co-produced by Pedro Almodóvar, this tumultuous Argentine anthology film tests the limits of human sanity when pushed to the extremes – and will also test yours.
9.9
The Farewell (2019)
Awkwafina shines in this complex culture clash comedy.