Fire Reviews

• Bollywood shocker

  
  By A37PV5GMP2ILJC on 2004-12-27
  This is not your grandmother's old Rishi Kapoor or Hema Malini movie, where kissing was taboo, and romance was limited to making goo-goo eyes and performing elaborately choreographed dances in the mountains.
  
  By Hollywood standards, this is an intriguing movie, where two women rebel against their traditional roles, and turn to each other for love, respect and sexual gratification.
  
  By Bollywood standards however, this shocker has committed several major offenses, the least of which are the on-screen love scenes between two women. The issues that shocked the traditionalists to the bone are that firstly, the women are Hindus, secondly the movie challenges the very core of male dominance, and thirdly, that women have the right to be independent and happy in their marital relationships.
  
  Radha (Shabana Azmi) is married to Ashok (Kulbhushan Kharbanda) and has been unable to fulfill his desire for a child. Ashok has been consulting a Swami, and in the belief that desire is the root of all evil, keeps her close to him without intimacy so that he will become a better person.
  
  Sita (Nandita Das) is a young bride with a longing for love and adventure, married to Jatin (Javed Jaffrey) who is unwilling to provide her with either, because he is in love with someone else. Their marriage is a sham, as Jatin only married to please Ashok and his grandmother Biji.
  
  As per custom, the whole extended family lives under one roof, and their unhappy marriages draw Sita and Radha together. Sita turns out to be the one who inspires the break with tradition, and finds a willing convert in Radha.
  
  Director Deepa Mehta handles this controversial movie tastefully and tenderly, the romance balanced by traditional family values and the comedic activities of the servant Mundu (Ranjit Chowdhry, a Mehta regular). Shabana Azmi is perfect as the more mature woman, but Nandita Das sparkles as the enlightened abandoned bride.
  
  My only regret is that the DVD version lacks subtitles, as even though the actors all speak English, their accents and Hindi references are sometimes difficult to catch.
  
  A beautiful and powerful movie, but not your usual Bollywood fare.
  
  Amanda Richards, December 27, 2004
  
  
  

• Fire, fire burning bright...

  
  By A1HO9J4DCQDGP9 on 2000-05-31
  When I went to see this film at the cinema I was uncertain as to what I was letting myself in for. However I am glad that my friend persuaded me to give it a chance. This is a beautiful film, about a taboo subject in India, and it is handled magnificently by the director and cast alike. It follows the story of two sister-in-laws (Azmi and Das) who dare to fall in love with each other. Not only do they fall in love but they conspire to leave their inadequate husbands. Azmi is married to a man who is unable to consummate their marriage, and Das' husband is unfaithful to her, desiring his Chinese mistress over his chosen bride. Azmi and Das are living in an unforgiving world. The path they have chosen to follow is fraught with intolerance and danger and they have no allies save each other. As their relationship deepens so does the need for escape. This is not just an artsy movie, it is funny, sad and genuinely moving. It also has some darkly funny moments, watch the scene with the family servant, and the porno movies, it has to be seen to be believed. Leonard Maltin saw this film as a male bashing Lesbian chick flick, claiming that the male characters in the film were nothing more than "simplistic chauvinist pig[s]." It is obvious that Mr. Maltin has not lived in India where more often than not men rule and women obey and should you want to be different then God help you because no one else will. This film is ultimately about love, hope, redemption and purification; fire being a purifier and therefore when Azmi survives her husband's attempt to burn her to death she proves to the viewer that she is pure, and the Gods do not disapprove of her sexuality. This is a wonderful film, well acted and superbly directed. It's worth seeing especially now as you will be able to buy or rent it on DVD.
  
  

• The best movie I have ever seen, a true gem.

  
  By on 1999-10-17
  I am a teenager that is used to watching over-hyped Hollywood flicks. But one day I took a chance and rented FIRE. I could feel the frustrations of the two women as they lived day to day in loveless marriages. The characters are trying to fulfill roles their culture expects of them. But they are torn between what they want and what they are expected to want. I was moved by the outstanding performances of Shabana Azmi and Nandita Das. It's incredible how the director, Deepa Mehta, was able to weave suck complex social issues into a genuine and sincere film that leaves a lasting impact on anyone fortunate enough to view it. I was surprised to see that the older brother would devote himself to a life of chastity simply because he could not have children of his own. I felt empathy for the younger brother when he was pressured to leave his Chinese girlfriend in order to enter into an arranged marriage with a young Indian woman. There are tragic consequences for the leading female characters as their desires offer them a chance at happiness. I loved every moment in this movie. Hopefully the issues in this movie will be discussed by the many who see it. It's thought provoking and will leave a lasting impression, even for those who oppose the controversial subject matter of lesbianism.
  
  

• The Unforgettable Fire

  
  By on 2000-06-26
  It haunted me. I could not get the movie out of my mind for days. The story, with its tension, passion, and, frankly, eroticism, was amazing. As an Indian woman raised in the U.S., exposed to Western cinema and its free exploration of controversial issues, I could not believe such a movie could be made by an Indian cast,(expatriot)Indian director, and heavily Indian crew. The acting and cinematography was mesmerizing. The radiant Shabana Azmi, a true legend, and the beautiful Nandita Das portray their characters with a genuineness and bravery not often seen and never surpassed. Their displays of love and longing were probably the most passionate I've seen in cinema- of any genre. Without a doubt, this is one of the finest, and probably the most thought-provoking, films made by anyone in India or her diaspora. I am proud such a film has finally been made; and hopeful it will let India finally confront the changes occuring in its society.
  
  

• Deepa Mehta's Fire--A Beautiful Film

  
  By A34UZ1H3O4FJZ5 on 2000-06-02
  I saw this movie for the first time almost two years ago, it was a chance rental at my local big chain video store and what had caught my eye was the banner on the box which exclaimed "The film that has been BANNED in India!" I wondered to myself, what could be so controversial in this film that it would cause an entire country to ban its existense? I rented it and do you know what? It turned out that the threat was new ideas that challenged traditional culture and probably one of the greatest portrayals of female empowerment I have ever seen! This is NOT a male bashing lesbian film Mr. Maltin---and if you had looked a little harder you would have seen that the men in the film are trapped in tradition just as much as the women. This film is wonderful, beautiful, and a credit to Ms. Mehta and the women she dedicated it to! By the way, anyone who wants to know more about Deepa Mehta can find information at: http://www.zeitgeistfilm.com/current/fire/firedeepa.html
  
  
• Brilliant...the best film I've seen in years.
  By on 1998-12-24
  First of all I have to agree with the viewer from Ohio regarding Leonard Maltin's review of this film. The film very astoundingly captures the essence of life and stuggles among women in India and its surrounding countries. It's not hype and it's not fiction, it's the truth. Understandably, most westerners would find it difficult to relate to the reality of a culture which has traditionally allowed men to get away with such MCP attitudes. The portrayal of the characters, everyone from Azmi to the mute mother-in-law to the over-sexed servant boy, was astoundingly real. So much so that it made the movie that much more intense and vivid. I cannot recall watching a movie stemming from the east that was more truthful. Much kudos to Mehta for her excellent story-telling and wonderful insight not to mention courage in dealing with an issue that has been strictly taboo, and still is, in the Indian subcontinent. If only other Indian filmmakers would step up and make a statement as bold as Mehta's. I can't praise this movie enough, so in an effort to avoid any repetition, I end here. Thank you for such an mesmerizing and entertaining piece of work.
  
  
• Tradition and forbidden love in contemporary India
  By A17FLA8HQOFVIG on 2002-10-19
  This 1996 film from India was written and directed by Deepa Mehta, not known to shy away from controversial themes. Here, she introduces the viewer to a beautifully photographed bustling city where an extended family live together and run a video store and restaurant. When the younger philandering brother marries in an arranged marriage and brings his bride to the household, we get to meet the family through the young woman's eyes. There's the bedridden elderly mother who cannot speak but uses a small bell to make her wants known. There's her husband's brother who has taken a vow of celibacy because his wife is infertile. And there's the male servant who indulges in his own kind of gratification.

  The two sister-in-laws are unhappy. A forbidden romance between them ensues.

  The entire theme is handled in an understated way and the romantic scenes between the women are clouded in shadow. There's a lot unsaid. And yet, the film is about a lot more than just these two women and their predicament. It is about the emerging role of women to make choices in a modern Indian society. It's about the deep conflicts between tradition and the reality of modern times.

  The entire cast does an excellent job. I felt I was right there in that household. And the director even introduced some mysticism and epic poetry. It was a gentle film though, in spite of its bold theme. And that is what made it interesting.

  The characters all spoke English, which made the film easy for me to watch. But, in spite of it being well done, I found it slow and boring in parts. There were few new plot developments to hold my interest, just an elaboration of the same theme. It was only 104 minutes long but was too long to me.

  If Indian films are new to you, this might be a good introduction. It really brings the viewer right inside the experience of having to deal with forbidden love in contemporary India.
  
  

• good-hearted and in good taste
  By AS3UXYC6G4XN8 on 2000-09-30
  All too often when a film is billed as "controversial" and dealing with "taboo" subjects and (uh-oh) "lesbian love," it turns out to be just another soft porno exploitation flick for the amusement of male viewers. Now that is what I call ho-bloody-hum (ahem, Mr Maltin). This film is a blessed relief from that genre.

  Although sexuality is openly portrayed and discussed in the film, intimacy between the two female protagonists is handled tastefully and without that nasty overtone of voyeuristic exploitation. Leonard Maltin, useful though his reviews are, has a history of getting really defensive (and dismissive) about films with any feminist content. If overbearing patriarchal authority is honestly and accurately portrayed, he's liable to diss the film as unfair to men. Notably he has very little to say about insulting or belittling roles for *female* actors!

  I thought this was a good-hearted film, honestly challenging and critical of male privilege and selfishness, yet also extending compassion and dignity to its male as well as female characters. Even the nastiest person in the film (the unfortunate servant) is not treated with genuine contempt by the scriptwriter or director. Everyone gets his or her day in court; we feel a little sympathy with every character at least once or twice.

  It's also a sensitive and poignant portrait of the cost of tradition, and the cost of defying tradition. The violence and controversy it sparked in the conservative Hindu state of Maharashtra are documented in the "extras"; more than anything else, the ability of this film to panic conservative forces, and thereby elicit mob violence, speaks to its power and lasting value as a challenge to institutions that (however benign they may seem on the surface) keep women down.
  
  

• an amazing movie
  By on 2000-05-30
  i don't know how familiar mr. maltin is with indian film-making, or whether he has ever stepped outside the rather narrow set of film expectations with which we as americans are raised, but to call this a 'ho-hum lesbian drama' indicates a total lack of perception. this movie is an amazing work on so many levels, not only because it challenges an entire social system, but because of the quality of the acting and the sensitivity of the screenplay to the problems faced by everyone in the movie. The men are not simply chauvinists, they're as trapped as the women; and this isn't a 'lesbian movie;' it addresses complex issues surrounding marriage and relationships, and although it is also a love story, it conveys something much deeper about liberty and identity. Azmi and Das do a wonderful job conveying the blossoming relationship, and the actors who play their respective husbands also deserve applause, as does Deepa Mehta for making this film. See it.
  
  
• Touching Love Story
  By A260HPXUTLD8VV on 2001-01-13
  This was a great film in every sense of the word. It tackles the subject of tribadism in a society that is quite intolerant of any deviations from the norm. It criticises a great many Indian customs that many find oppressive -- such as the arranging of marriages by others, the importance of status and face, rligious hypocrisy, sexism, the valuation of women in terms of their baby-making capacity, the binding concepts of duty and so on. At the heart of the film is a touching love story that goes beyond such limitations of the society which the two protagnonists find themselves. The film is well-acted and genuine, completely believable from beginning to end, unlike most Bollywood flicks. The main faults of the film as I saw it was first, that the two lovers seem drawn to one another not necessarily by a natural affinity for each other as much as the fact that they are stuck in dead-end marriages with no passion and no rewards. This may play a part in the sexual awakening of the characters, but most people stuck in the same situation will not "turn homosexual". It seems clear from the beginning of the filmm that the two characters are quite heterosexual -- when Radha does her scene at the end of the movie with Aashok, she makes it quite clear that "without desire she was dead", and the implication was that if he had desired so, he could have fulfilled her quite completely, and also when Sita seemed very disappointed when her husband seemed to not like her. Such situations do not turn people into homosexuals -- they may seek comfort in others in the same position, but inthe film it is not at all made clear that they are lesbians from the beginning -- quite the opposite. Some people are bisexual, it is true, but most tend to be either hetero- or homosexual. In the case of the ladies in the film, both had insensitive jerks for husbands . . . if this had not been the case, would they have naturally found the need to express their desire in a relationship that they may have otherwise not have considered? The film ignores this. The other fault is the naming of the characters . . . the names Sita and Radha seem contrived deliberately to shock and outrage (imagine a film in America depicting a gay relationship between a man named "Jesus" and another named "Paul"!) by using names associated with various Hinddo scriptures. The film is strong enough to stand on its own and needs no such devices in my opinion. At any rate, the faults do not take much away from the power of the movie. It is indeed a very touching and powerful story -- the images and characters will stay with you a long time after you leave the theatre.
  
  
• Quiet courage...
  By A337ZWU9AI3DEV on 2002-03-24
  ...radiates from this excellent film. Made with obvious love by an Indian woman who currently hails from Canada, "Fire" tackles both arranged marriage--a topic that makes the West uneasy--and lesbianism--a subject that makes East and West alike squirm. The film is beautifully framed and shot. The plot is straightforward (I knew what was coming most of the time), but the nuances seem sharper, since we're plunked into a different culture. Or is it so different? And the ending was a complete surprise, and powerful.

  Even on the honeymoon, a new husband has no interest in his young bride.("The fool!" you'll say, because the actress is truly gorgeous!) And as if to rub it in, the dolt spurns her at the Taj Mahal, the world's greatest monument to love. We know it's not going to work, but he takes her home to his extended family anyway, ensconces her in his proper middle-class household, and goes out every night with his Chinese mistress, who makes him paint her toenails. (Okay, I didn't see that one coming--but I should have. Why did I expect a proper Indian family to be more proper than families anywhere else?) The bride has to stay home and tend to family business. That means she cooks, cleans, prays and fasts for her husband's health, cares for her husband's aged mom, and waits to see if her husband ever wants to have sex with her. (He does. Sort of. Once.)

  The bride has a mind, however, and is bored--to the point of secretly cross-dressing while dancing to light rock. (Well, I guess I didn't see that coming either, but once it got going, I knew she'd get caught.) You soon understand that she desperately needs to learn how to avoid offending the Master of the Household--her husband's elder brother.

  Happily, along comes her older--and stunning--sister-in-law (played by lovely Shabana Azmi, one of the most popular actresses in India). This poor soul hasn't been touched by her husband in thirteen years. (He's on a soul-strengthening celibacy kick prescribed by his guru.) She undertakes to teach the young bride how to be a proper wife. The sister-in-law, however, is clueless as to the feelings she inspires in her young protege. But delightfully, we're not. In fact, the household sizzles with so much repressed desire that you'll be rooting out loud for the protagonists when they finally get together and let off some steam. And the erotic scenes are beautifully done, understated and tasteful.

  I won't tell you any more, except to say the pair gets into trouble, trouble that will make your heart ache in recognition and race with hope. The ending will grip you. I've watched this film many times and am always touched by its beauty.

  PS: As a bonus, you'll get to see a short enactment of the Indian epic "The Ramayana," with the part of the goddess Sita played in the traditional Indian way--by a man dressed as a woman and singing in falsetto.
  
  

• Clarity and depth, but. . .
  By A3AEF59DUCKMQC on 2003-07-17
  I bought this DVD because it was on one of those listmania and also I remembered liking "Salaam Bombay" "Home and the World" and "Bandit Queen." But this is really not an Indian movie or a lesbian movie either. A typical Indian movie is like a cheesy Hollywood musical. A Lesbian movie?? Hardly. It isn't about lesbianism because the sister-in-laws were desperate to be loved by someone who's understanding, tender and selfless and they found that in each other without considering that they are about to embark on a lesbian love affair. This is believeable when you see that there is an abyss in their lives that only the other can fill. I think this is more like a sociology film that attempts to show the cultural and moral constraints that are burdened on Indian women and on some level, Indian men. It is a lot to absorb in one film but Deepa Metha did such a great job in keeping the story tight that you never lose interest. It is also clastrophobically filmed in a tight apartment complex, that is both physically and mentally choking. I dropped one star because I think Mehta had a chance to make a stylistic sequence with the two women. Nandita Das and Shabana Azmi are etheral and this fact was not taken advantage of. Other than that, I really like this movie. I do recommend the DVD version because it includes a news footage of a religous cult attacking and smashing a theater in New Delhi showing this film because it did not conform with their dogmatic beliefs. It also includes interviews with the director, the actresses and the cult leader(she's a real Hoot). I think it enhances your appreciation for the movie to learn a little bit about the making of this film and the controversy that it created.
  
  
• Beautiful, Delicate, Organic
  By AC11GZAL5N99C on 2005-05-06
  "Fire" is a movie that is unfortunately known more for the firestorm (pardon the pun) of controversy surrounding the themes of the movie than it is for its delicate and passionate story.
  
  Sita and Radha are sisters-in-law bound by the strict rules of tradition and what it means being a wife. Together they find themselves trapped in loveless, empty marriages and therefore find they share many common grounds, such as the need to feel and express desire, the necessity of breaking with tradition to experience the freedom of both self-expression and Self, and the love of those who love them.
  
  "Fire" is more a story that focuses on these themes rather than a titilating story about lesbianism. The love between Sita and Radha is organic and honest, although several Western stereotypes concerning lesbians are visible (for example, the older woman-younger woman relationship), but despite this rather easily-overlooked shortcoming, we're presented with a movie that, as a whole, is brilliantly acted and filmed, educational and most importantly, moving.
  
  
• Loved this film!
  By A3JKQTZQZBHBHA on 2004-08-31
  Even though this film is a lesbian love story-it really stems from oppression, being viewed as merely a wife, to please men, cook, and procreate. I loved the symbolism, the characters, and the acting. I thought it was very sexy, passionate, and beautiful. The main characters were very well developed. This movie was banned in India, and many people protested it due to it's content. I highly recommend this film.
  
  
• Lesbian love-story ?
  By A1L0NZ08ERZ2IN on 2004-09-04
  This movie is more than a run of the mill lesbian love-story ... It truly shows the complexity of life that people aren't aware of ( unless they live in India ) . It takes a movie like this one to show that women aren't just for baby making , cooks and be housewives in general . But someone that can be desired, love and respected .
  
  Azmi ( Radha ) played a housewife that couldn't have children . And according to their teachings that sex is only for procreation and nothing more . Radha's husband uses the opportunity and took a vow of celibacy ( since there's no point of having sex )and have her just lie beside him to make sure that he has no desire for Radha. ( Since the teachings said , desire is the root of all evil ).
  
  Das ( Sita ) played Azmi's sister-in-law that has a husband that only married her because it was his duty to the family to bear children that can carry on the family name, since Radha could not have any . Although Sita's marriage is loveless since her husband is in-love with a Chinese woman .
  
  Radha and Sita's unhappiness was cut short when they found the courage to break-out from the bindings of their duty to their husbands to the arms of one another where they found desire, love and support .
  
  
• sensitive and brave
  By ASGJ7JMWTBY0X on 2006-03-20
  I loved this sensitive, well observed and artistic film. I am not a lesbian and I don't think that is the main issue of the film. It is more the two women's need for love and dignity and their brave decision to go for it, after leading a repressed life and not being understood or respected in their marriages. India needs a lot of that kind of film and books. Women as well as lower caste members need to learn about their inner dignity and their right to lead a free and loving life and I hope this will happen in the next decades. This film is a contribution to the development of inner freedom and tenderness.
  
  
• Brilliant and Moving, You will hold your breath!
  By A2B588MUS6R9QY on 2000-08-05
  It's too bad that there is not a 10 star rating! This movie is one of the best movies I have ever seen. I saw it in the theater when it first came out and was so happy to finally find it to purchase! I was instantly transported back to Delhi and could smell the spices and hear the sounds of the street. As a widow of a man from that culture I understand from a first hand basis the differences women face, the lack of independence that we take for granted here. As Americans it is sometimes hard to understand the strong bond and sense of duty that other cultures have for the family. The social stigma carried by anybody who questions or god forbid chooses a path other than the expectations of the family. It is hard for some to truly understand how little freedom; either in opinion or in movement women have in some eastern cultures. I felt this movie portrayed the life's struggle of one family. The inertia felt when acceptance of one's circumstance no matter how unhappy is the only option. Each character in the movie was so carefully developed and portrayed. The older sister in whose strong yet calm and dutiful disposition is sparked with life again upon the arrival of her new younger sister in law. The eagerness and vibrancy of the new arrival can be felt in every corner of the room. Yet with this vibrancy is still a strong sense of duty to a husband who does not love her, nor does he want her. He is chasing a woman who only uses him for her own pleasure; he is also trapped in cultural and family expectations. I see the attraction between the women as the joining of two kindred spirits, searching and finding happiness in each other, when no happiness can be found otherwise in the lives they have been forced to accept. I offer a standing ovation to the cast and crew. A better job couldn't have been done. It's not about lesbians, or chauvinists, it's about humanity in all forms and the search for the humanity that matches your own. Finding your self in another and finding them in you is an issue without borders or culture. If you are lucky enough to find it whether it be in a different or same sex relationship, cherish it and respect it and nurture it. If it is pure, it will stand the trial by FIRE.
  
  
• Status quo burning
  By on 2000-11-11
  I actually found this to be a truly wonderful film, albeit disturbing and thought-provoking. It is not a male-bashing film, but rather a devastating critique of the dynamics involved in the traditional joint-family. The men in this film are just as trapped in their culture's expectations as the women. Fire is aptly titled, as it is emotionally searing to view. All the major characters wind up with their hearts and minds badly burned. In Hindu tradition, fire is not necessarily destructive, but transformative. The transformation in this film, however, is not necessarily what the characters expect, given their culture's parameters.

  While this may be a challenging film to understand for those viewers who lack basic backgound in Indian history, Hindu epics and modern urban Indian society, it is well worth watching.
  
  

• Ridiculous
  By A33ZKY9JE4HYVR on 2001-08-10
  Seems like all you have to do nowadays is make a movie about homosexuals and you will win unprecedented praise. Take "Better than Chocolate" for example, which was worse than this film yet was hailed by the media.

  I read about the controversy surrounding the movie in international newspapers and how the conservative Hindu government and censor boards banned the movie. As a strong believer in freedom of speech, I checked this movie out...what a mistake. I would have been better off renting a lesbian porn flick than the nonsense I witnessed during that painful 100 minutes; it probably would have a better story than the fluff in this film. The men in the film are nothing but caricatures with little, or no character development. As Mr. Maltin has pointed out, all the male characters are portrayed in a negative light; as chauvinistic and self centered, while the women are shown has Angel's of God. And the argument that the reason they are portrayed in that manner is because they truly do act that way is as stereotypical as saying that women are nothing but gold digging opportunists. The character development for women was also absurd. Radha being married to her celibent husband for more than a decade suddenly has feelings for sister-in-law. Come on! I can't believe that utter nonsense like this stupid premise are so easily accepted by the general public.

  If you're thinking of buying or renting this movie, don't. Not unless you greatly enjoy being in utter agony for nearly 2 hours. After watching the film it finally occured to me why the Indian government banned the movie. The 'controversial' spin was just a red herring...it was because the movie just straight ....
  
  

• Brilliant Masterpiece!!
  By A3E5YYTZHNAVNY on 2001-03-28
  It is a shame that Mr.Maltin has completely missed the essence of this film. Film is an international medium and we expect that those who claim to understand it enough to critique it, possess the basic knowledge of cultures other than their own in order to give an educated opinion that would be valuable to everyone. I saw "Fire" at a theater in India (before it was banned due to the violent reaction of some people and the inability of the police to prevent it, NOT because of the content itself - it's a free country). Every single person that left the cinema hall seemed to be emotionally shaken up. This film is so powerful that it makes even the most conservative minds think hard about the way they have perceived things so far. It has some of the best acting, direction and cinematography you could ever see. I wish The Academy had on its panel people unlike Mr.Maltin, so that the world could notice and therefore, benefit from brilliant, thought provoking films such as "Fire".
  
  
• Excellent Film
  By A1H5E7O5BW2J13 on 2005-04-08
  I find it a bit misleading when some people act as if this film is solely a lesbian film, when it isn't. There is much more to this film than the homosexuality factor, so much that it seems kind of irrelevent to even focus on the fact that two gorgeous indian women explore their sexuality with one another. This is a film that broke barriers, and caused an outrage in India when it was released because it stigmatized and contradicted the culture and traditions of India that have never been confronted or questioned. I don't understand why this film isn't recognized for its daring effort and creativity. This film is universal to all people who have conflicts with balancing traditions and their own personal lives at the same time. If only more people would know about this film, and not just look at this as an lesbian film. It's truly a wonderful and well made film. I recommend this to anybody whose interested in the indian culture.
  
  
• The burning need for love, respect and acknowledgement is the fuel of Fire
  By A91YY4W9MB3R9 on 2006-06-30
  Fire... is a great story about the dynamics of freeing yourself from the sometimes unbearble chains of tradition. The hidden treasure in this story is the discovery that even the ones who seemingly hold the keys to the locks on these chains are themselves bound by them.
  
  With the third installment of this trilogy (Fire, Earth and Water) finally completed, I thought I would throw in my take on this wonderful movie. In short this is a study that proves my understanding that everyone in this life needs attention and everyone seeks it and obtains it in their own way...sometimes without regard for themselves, others, their traditions, or for the society in which they live.
  
  Until Radha and Sita connect in spirit, each lacks in the fulfillment of knowing their value, self worth, purpose, potential for happiness or the warmth of intimacy that any human desires. Unfortunately too often too many fail to realize this need until it is too late. For Sita and Radha, they manage to break through the veil of oppression and do so because of their new found selves. Sita, too young to go gentle into that dreariest of dreary life, and Radha who long ago accepted her fate as a wife filled with guilt instead of life, must embrace each other to feel themselves and their worth...and their desires. How inspirational!
  
  Truly this discovery has nothing to do with the sexual side of the relationship. This is not about being lesbians...which I am. For some lesbians this is precisely the thread that draws us to another. It's about needing to feel alive. In which case we are no different than anyone else. Neither are Sita and Radha.
  
  But if it were about sex, which it is not, in truth sexual desire has been a driving catalyst for many fairy tales, wars and the sole inspiration of many conquerors. Why shouldn't it be the same for these two? They have conquered the norm through tremendous risk. Not unlike Snow White or Sleeping Beauty, they are brought back to life with a kiss. It is a revelation for both women. They desire life. Isn't that what any of us wants? A desire to live and feel...not just exist.
  
  In Hindu tradition, even after walking through the fire to prove her purity and faithfulness...Ram still send his love away...and it breaks his heart to do so. The truth is that she has proven to be too pure of heart. A purity that even he was not wirthy of. Radha walks through the fire of her life, survives and is cleansed by the rain. It is predictable but still poetic.
  
  I love all of the characters in this story. From the muted bell-ringing- see all grandmother to the hopelessly in-love self-pleasuring saboteur servant. It is all poetic because in life the flicker of flames and pangs of desire are, in all their pain and glory, poetry.
  
  It's just a story but I believe it to be very inspiring.
  
  
• Great Movie
  By A375QRG43POEW6 on 2001-04-11
  This movie has and is a daring story. The story in the movie and the story of the woman, who dared to make this movie, and who after the fact, was the target of death threats etc. In this movie the taboo of love between two women is very powerfully depicted. Yet I would say more importantly it is the social system and the family system within India that is being opened up to the moviegoers. India is the "case study" here yet the realities of these relations are present at other places all over the Middle East. So this movie makes a very powerful statement and remains a beautiful, in many senses a classical yet so out of the ordinary love-story.
  
  
• Same Old Tired Stereotypes
  By A226GN7L8OR624 on 2003-04-17
  ' and, judging from the comments posted here by various customer reviewers, we 'enlightened' Americans are only too happy to buy into them. Check out the condescension:

  - 'It is hard for some to truly understand how little freedom; either in opinion or in movement women have in some eastern cultures.'

  - 'Understandably, most westerners would find it difficult to relate to the reality of a culture which has traditionally allowed men to get away with such MCP attitudes.'

  - 'This film tackles the subject of tribadism in a society that is quite intolerant of any deviations from the norm. It criticises a great many Indian customs that many find oppressive -- such as the arranging of marriages by others, the importance of status and face, religious hypocrisy, sexism, the valuation of women in terms of their baby-making capacity, the binding concepts of duty and so on.'

  A few posters go on to speculate that Indians did not like this film because 'many saw this movie and feared that it would cause women to question their own place in society.'

  - 'I wondered to myself, what could be so controversial in this film that it would cause an entire country to ban its existence? I rented it and do you know what? It turned out that the threat was new ideas that challenged traditional culture.'

  - 'The violence and controversy it sparked in the conservative Hindu state of Maharashtra are documented in the "extras"; more than anything else, the ability of this film to panic conservative forces, and thereby elicit mob violence, speaks to its power and lasting value as a challenge to institutions that (however benign they may seem on the surface) keep women down.'

  I must first of all point out that (as others have noted) the film was initially released in India, but subsequently banned due to the violent reaction of certain extremist groups and the inability of the police to prevent it (not because of the lesbian content or fears that Indian women would get all out of control), which only resulted in a national backlash against the Censor Board, so that it was re-released three months later "without a single cut."

  Second, if anyone is actually interested in the *informed insider's* response to 'Fire' (for a refreshing change of pace), check out Madhu Kishwar's, a well-known Hindu feminist and editor of the Indian feminist journal, Manushi, review in which she critiques both the film and Western chauvinism and condescension. I recommend that you watch the movie and then read Kishwar's review and then give some serious thought to the issues that *both* bring up.
  
  

• this is such a beautiful and poignant movie
  By A2J7BBT8BJPDR1 on 2000-03-27
  This movie had me glued to the screen. The casting of Shabana Azmi as a distinctly old-school actress playing such a controversial role is an inspiration to young asian lesbians everywhere. There was more eroticism and chemistry in one glance between azmi and das than in entire hollywood movies. Maybe we should take a leaf out of Deepak Mehtas book. He sure knows how to make a film. This is aptly titled as it leaves a burning imprint on the mind. Unmissable and truly unforgettable.
  
  
• Challenging Hindu Orthodoxy
  By A1TI1JMH87OP1A on 2005-11-23
  This film is an excellent realistic portrayal of the male dominant orthodox Indian family, where a husband is free to betray his wife for whatever reasons and the wife has all sorts of religious, social, and conventional pressures against getting rid of the sexual starvation. It may be natural for a woman to love another woman and have sex as the physical basis of that love. Also, Hindu fundamentalists violently condemn the projected homosexuality in their tradition but there is hardly any evidence that lesbianism is absent in Hindu culture and, as an Indian is likely to be a Hindu, the names Radha and Sita are justifiable.
  
  
• The scope of this film goes beyond just "lesbian genre."
  By on 1999-11-14
  This film was an absolute masterpiece. It didn't just focus on the feelings and the quirks of a same-sex relationship. It also addressed the cultural and patriarchal structure that formed the bedrock for each character's behavior and interactions. The women were definitely central to the film but all of the characters were portrayed in a way that was sensitive and realistic. Leonard Maltin's review reveals more about his prejudices, insecurities, and the axe he's grinding than it does about the film. This was fabulous.
  
  
• Controversy. . .
  By A1GOJJQ3EK8NB9 on 2001-04-12
  

  FIRE
  Shabana Azmi, Nandita Das, Kulbushan Kharbanda, Javeen Jaaferi, Ranjit Chowdhry, 1996

  Synopsis
  Radha is married for 13 years to a man who has sworn a vow of celibacy. Sita is married to a unfaithful chauvinist who ignores her. Ultimately the two sister in laws find the intimacy and pleasure, they have been lacking, with each other.

  My Review
  Banned in India! This film was written and directed by Deepa Mehta, who faced serious problems as a result of the lesbian nature of the film. The plot is empty, but it is a courageous attempt at portraying a taboo subject. Worth seeing, just to say you saw it.

  
  
  

• Useless Lesbian Movie
  By ARZRXYJBDILN1 on 2002-01-10
  This movie is a useless movie if you are going to watch it as a lesbian movie. The action is poor to non existant. The plot is sketchy and the idea of woman to woman love is just stuffed into the movie in a tasteless and non practical way. You will regret you ever bought it. It's a perfect example of a sin without any taste in it.
  
  
• dispute over film & lingering memories
  By A2X3E8EU2KBVN8 on 2002-11-08
  There has been a dispute over whether or not this movie was banned in India. The following statements were in the Washington Post:

  I have been the butt of Hindu and Muslim threats and intimidation," said Azmi, recalling the furor her film "Fire" sparked in 1996 with a story about two sisters-in-law who fall in love and seek erotic solace to escape their unhappiness. Mobs attacked the theater, tearing out the furniture, and the actress was accused of being "wicked" and "criminal" by extremist Hindu parties such as Shiv Sena. The film was withdrawn, which created a backlash. Spontaneous street demonstrations brought the return of "Fire" after three months "without a single cut," the actress noted.

  So everybody is right. :-) I don't know if I have ever written a review before but I found this movie to be sad and one that stayed with me... Most movies I tend to forget fairly quickly, and I don't even watch a whole lot of movies, but I found scenes in this movie to be truly disturbing. At first I thought the movie was okay but as time goes on I have grown to appreciate it more and more. I like movies that are memorable and that provide memories which linger. This movie is definitely unusual, unique. A little dramatic, especially at the end, but I guess that's okay.
  
  

• Earth
• Water
• Monsoon Wedding
• Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love
• Salaam Bombay (Widescreen Special Edition)