Marching in the Dark

Kinshuk Surjan / Belgium, Netherlands & India / 2024 / World Premiere / 108 min

The drought-stricken Indian rural region of Maharashtra is hit by a butterfly effect of chaotic crises. The climate, artificially low prices on the world market, rising imports and lack of regulation are pushing farmers into bottomless debt and deep poverty. The consequence is an unbearably high suicide rate. Some poison themselves by drinking the pesticides that put them in debt. They leave their wives with large, unpaid bank loans, the responsibility of raising their children and a farm to take care of. ‘Marching in the Dark’ turns its attention to the many women left behind who are connected by a common pain. Together they seek out a local psychologist to share stories, question orthodox practices, be vulnerable and comfort each other. But the meetings are also a silent rebellion against a patriarchal society and a first step in an inevitable liberation. A compelling story about a vicious circle and the first steps towards a resilient women’s movement.