Fire

Adultery, masturbation and lesbianism...this taboo-breaking Indian film from the producer of Bandit Queen has 'em all. Significantly, perhaps, it's in English, but otherwise the portrait of a New Delhi household caught between the contradictory impulses of duty and desire rings reasonably true (though the emancipated new bride Sita may be a somewhat idealised figure). It's a courageous picture that never gets too pompous - writer/director Mehta isn't above interjecting a parodic fantasy sequence or a song - very attractively photographed by Giles Nuttgens, with radiant performances from Azmi and Das.