Apr 18 2009
Fire - a review
Fire is a 1996 film directed by Deepa Mehta and starring Shabana Azmi and Nandita Das. It is very, very loosely based on a story by Ismat Chugtai called The Quilt. Of note, it is the first Indian film to show homosexual relationships. The movie takes place in Delhi, India and at the center of it, is a Hindu joint family, which runs a video and fast food store in the first floor of their two story home. The main characters are the two daughters in law that have joined the family through arranged marriages - Sita (played by Nandita Das and who is married to the younger of the two brothers - Jatin) and Rhada (played by Shabana Adzi and who is married to Ashok, the elder of the two brothers). Both marriages are very, very unhappy and very, very unhealthy. Jatin feels forced into marriage, so he ignores Sita and continues to see his Chinese girlfriend. Ashok has decided to become ascetic after two doctors told the couple that Radha was infertile. He uses Radha to test his celibacy and has done so for 13 of their 15 years of marriage. They have separate beds and he forces Radha to sit there in order for him to overcome his desire for her. The two women turn to each other for solace and support and eventually, become lovers. They are discovered by Ashok, who is tipped off by a servant. This movie details their relationship and their eventual uncovering.
What was interesting was the reception that this got among the masses in Indian society. While the film passed by the censor board without being touched, there were mass protests and theaters were burned down. Some moviegoers were frightened away from seeing the movie, which was a shame because this was such a wonderful movie.
This movie was a searing critique of a social system that Deepa Mehta hates and considers oppressive to all women, but in particular to lesbians because women and homosexuals have no rights. In fact, there is not even a word for homosexuality in the Indian language, so the intersection of sexuality and gender really lead to lesbians being some of the most deprived citizens of the country in terms of rights and protections. There is no melodrama, but the critique is ther nonetheless and the subtlety and finesses is what makes the criticism that much more beautiful and powerful. The shots are beautiful as are the costumes that the characters wear.
The movie’s depiction of the physical affair between the two is very, very discreet. For instance, the only time that the audience ever sees any private parts is towards the end of the movie when a single, naked breast is displayed. The more shocking scenes depict a straight servant frantically masturbating to pornographic films while the store is closed and in front of the elderly, sickly matriarch of the family. The sumbolism of the names of the two main characters add to the beauty and power of the film and its critique of traditional Indian society. But what makes the movie all that more powerful is how perfectly normal and believable Sita and Radha are. They could be your next door neighbors. Because of the magnificent acting skills of the actresses, viewers can sympathize with the plights that they face - they are absolutely reasonable! What makes these women such fascinating actresses is that they use their entire bodies - their faces, eyes, mouth, shoulders etc - to convey a feeling and a scene. They aren’t just simply reciting lines. It’s a whole body effort. This is a beautiful movie and I look forward to seeing more of Mehta’s films in the future.
