Encounters 2021: Writing With Fire

Every year since our founding in 2010, The Bioscope has proudly hosted screenings of The Encounters Documentary Film Festival. Always a highlight in our calendar, the festival returns this year with limited physical screenings at The Bioscope supported by the Goethe-Institut South Africa from 11-20 June. Tickets are R70. For more information on the festival as a whole, please visit encounters.co.za

WRITING WITH FIRE

Directed by: Rintu Thomas & Sushmit Ghosh (India). Dur: 1h 34 mins.

This highly engaging feature debut tells the story of Khabar Lahariya, India’s only all-female newspaper, as it makes the transition to digital in order to increase its reach. Put together entirely by the Dalit women, some of whom had never used a cellphone before, and led by Meera, their chief reporter, the online version of the paper quickly gains traction, and soon their YouTube channel is racking up millions of views, despite the numerous challenges they face. The film follows the women as they investigate the incompetence of the local police force, record the testimonies of victims of caste and gender-based violence, and challenge harmful, long-standing practices that lead to injustice and intimidation. In their fearless break from tradition and their relentless search, not just for truth but for answers, this crew of revolutionary reporters are redefining what it means to be powerful.

Sundance Film Festival (2021) – Audience Prize & Grand Jury Prize

COVID POLICY AND PROCEDURE.

The new Bioscope location is set to be a 47 seater cinema. We are however selling far less in order for there to be space to sit apart from other members of the public. We ask you to please keep your mask on the entire time within the cinema premises. Drinks and snacks will be on sale and can be consumed during the film, but please consider those around you when your mask is off for this. 44 Stanley is largely an open air shopping centre, and The Bioscope has a great outside space directly outside the cinema that public can make use of. Within the cinema, we will also make use of temperature reading, air filtering, and constant cleaning to make sure that The Bioscope remains a safe and hygienic experience.

After purchasing tickets, if you experience any COVID related symptoms, or come into contact with anyone who has tested positive, we ask you to please not attend the screening. Please understand that The Bioscope will not be able to refund you this ticket. We are happy however for you to give your ticket to someone else that can attend. If this is not possible, we would be happy to exchange your ticket for a future screening/event. This can all be coordinated via email at [email protected]