Parched (Closing Night Film)

India / 116 min

Reminiscent of Ridley Scott’s 1991 film Thelma and Louise, Parched is set in the rural landscape of Gujarat where four women share stories illustrating the rampant sexism and violent mistreatment that continues to thrive in modern India. Rani is a widower trying to marry off her teenage son. Janki is the presumed bride, Lajjo is routinely abused by her husband, and Bijli contends with the stigma of being an exotic dancer.  

Beautifully shot by Academy Award winning cinematographer Russell Carpenter (Titanic), the film delves deep into the misogyny and hostility facing women in rural India at the hands of the arrogant, self-righteous men whose deepest fear is losing control of their archaic world to empowered women. Despite their painful struggles, the four women at the center of Parched keep striving to toss away the traditions that de-humanize them on their journey to liberation.