Horton Film Club

Critic comments:

..."This film is controversial, but it was set in 1938, during the British Raj, so obviously many things have changed since then compared to now. Mehta was making a statement about not just Indian faith and culture, but in fact all societies where conservative faith and society often intertwine with bad results. She is making a statement, a shockingly honest one about the plight of widows, especially ridiculously young ones. If you don't like it don't watch it, but it's a fabulous movie"...

..."I personally found this movie to be both moving, and thought provoking. I laughed, I cried, I raged. As a western woman in America, this film gave me a small insight into Indian culture and traditions, even with the movie being set during a time in Indian history where sweeping changes were happening"...

..." I agree that we need to consider the skewed representation of India (and the Third World generally) that pervades Western art and media. Whilst this film's story is an important one to tell, I don't like to think that Westerners take it as "the last word" on India and that they suddenly think of themselves as enlightened experts on the issue"...