Flickering Lights

In a village on the Indo-Myanmar border, seventy years after Indian independence, news arrives that electricity might come. People are sceptical, and let down too often before. A woman dreams of a better future, a century-old man of sovereignty. As the village waits, life flickers between hope and frustration, idealism and pragmatism.  

'It is a region we have visited several times over the past 15 years, engaging with communities, trying to understand, and searching for ways to express what we saw on the ground.  

'When we heard about the rural electrification drive in the region, we felt that exploring this would allow us to delve deep into the intricacies of life here. At the same time, it opened a window to the struggle for basic amenities like electricity—a struggle that is shared by millions on our planet. Looking at this journey could be a way to understand how things work (or don't work) in this part of the world, and how people cope with a life rife with uncertainties.  

'The treatment of our film is guided by an urge to reframe stories of marginalisation of indigenous communities, and to present Tora as a living, thriving entity rather than essentializing the people here as victims of underdevelopment or violence. In a world of increasing cacophony and polarisation, we want to express ourselves with gentleness, allowing small gestures, everyday conversations to reveal the lived philosophy of a people, their dreams and anxieties.' - Anupama SRINIVASAN and Anirban DUTTA