Fire: A Queer Film Classic

by Shohini Ghosh

A Queer Film the 1996 film by Indian-born director Deepa Mehta about the burgeoning relationship between the wives of two brothers who have abandoned them emotionally. The film's unprecedented lesbian themes led to riots outside cinemas in India and necessitated police protection for the director for over a year.

Genres: Queer

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 10, 2010

Reviews

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I watched Fire almost a year ago. (For my annual Valentine's Day lesbian film, to be specific! I have fun, what can I say.) It was a film I was touched and impressed by, so I enjoyed getting to learn more about the circumstances surrounding the film's creation and what happened when it was released. Also since it had been a while since seeing the film, I liked reading the plot synopsis and getting insight from this book's author. I want to rewatch it now, but considering I rarely ever sit down to watch movies that desire seems doomed. But you never know!

[Emily Cait · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great analysis of a beautiful film. I liked that Ghosh added a lot of context for life in India around the time that Fire was released. I almost wish I had read the first chapter of this text before watching the film.