Vanaja

Vanaja, the 15-year-old daughter of a poor fisherman, goes to work in the local landlady's house in hopes of learning Kuchipudi dance. She does well, but when the landlady's 23-year-old son returns from the U.S., what begins as innocent sexual chemistry turns ugly, ending in rape of a minor. Set in rural South India, a place where social barriers are built stronger than ancient fort walls, the film explores the chasm that divides classes as a young girl struggles to come of age. The film received 22 award nominations and two wins, including Best Directorial Debut at the Berlin Film Festival.

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