Set in a strict boarding school in the Himalayas, this is a rebellious coming-of-age story of an incredibly bright 16-year-old Indian girl, who falls in love or perhaps just discovers sexual attraction. Her awakening should be sweet, except that her mother hasn’t really come of age herself and constantly hovers and competes for the young man’s attention. Living vicariously through her daughter becomes weird, adding a somewhat unnerving, thriller vibe. To her credit, director Shuchi Talati exposes the claustrophobic cultural constraints in India that inhibit women and female sexuality through fine performances and nuanced character development. No minor achievement.
India 2024 (119 minutes)