India’s ‘To Kill a Tiger’ Nominated for Best Documentary Feature at Oscars 2024
The Academy Awards nominations for 2024 were announced on January 23rd, and among the nominees was the India-set documentary feature ‘To Kill a Tiger’. This marks a proud moment for Indian cinema, as the film puts a spotlight on an important social issue in the country.
About ‘To Kill a Tiger’
‘To Kill a Tiger’ is directed by Delhi-born, Toronto-based filmmaker Nisha Pahuja. It had its world premiere at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival, where it won the Amplify Voices Award for Best Canadian Feature Film.
The documentary chronicles the struggle of Ranjit, a father seeking justice for his 13-year-old daughter who was sexually assaulted by three men in their village. Though the perpetrators were arrested after Ranjit approached the police, he soon faces resistance from the villagers and their leaders who want the family to drop the charges.
Despite threats and intimidation, Ranjit perseveres in his fight for justice. The film intimately captures his uphill battle and the socio-cultural dynamics at play.
Oscars 2024 Nomination
‘To Kill a Tiger’ has been nominated in the Best Documentary Feature category at the 96th Academy Awards, scheduled to be held on March 12th, 2024.
The other nominees in this category are:
- Bobi Wine: The People’s President
- The Eternal Memory
- Four Daughters
- 20 Days in Mariupol
This is Pahuja’s first Oscars nomination. Reacting to the nod, she said:
- “I’m honored and thrilled that the Academy has recognized ‘To Kill a Tiger’. This nomination will allow Ranjit’s story to reach wider audiences and shed light on the harsh realities of sexual violence and oppression of vulnerable communities in India.”
Significance of the Nomination
The Oscars nomination holds significance on multiple levels. Firstly, it’s a recognition of the film’s artistic merit on the world stage. It brings global attention to an important social issue in India that often gets brushed under the carpet.
Secondly, it celebrates the voice of women filmmakers, as Pahuja joins the likes of Deepa Mehta and Mira Nair who have helmed Oscar-nominated films with India as the setting.
And finally, it’s a proud moment for Indian documentary cinema. Unlike mainstream feature films, documentaries rarely get such international platforms. This nomination will hopefully encourage more compelling, socially relevant documentaries from India.
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Can ‘To Kill a Tiger’ Win the Oscar?
The nomination itself is a big achievement for ‘To Kill a Tiger’. Whether it actually wins the Oscar will come down to how the film resonates with the Academy voters.
The film’s sensitive handling of a complex social issue and its relevance beyond borders makes it a strong contender. However, competition is stiff, as the other nominees also tell compelling human stories tackling important global concerns.
Nonetheless, ‘To Kill a Tiger’ has already won hearts with its Sundance premiere and buzzed-about festival run. Its Oscars nod will likely give it a wider release. And if it wins, it will be a triumphant moment for Indian cinema.
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