Court

This quasi-documentary drama set in Mumbai examines the Indian justice system via an absurd trial involving a folk singer accused of inciting suicide. His performance of a protest song apparently encouraged a worker to take his own life and the prosecutor intends to convict him of anti-state activities. The defence lawyer fights with a will but each subsequent hearing exposes judicial rigidity and incompetence and police corruption. Although set in a courtroom, this is far from being a typical genre piece requiring unexpected twists and histrionic lawyers. Without taking sides, Tamhane sketches a rigorous and unforgiving portrait of society through the microcosm of the courtroom and the private lives of those connected with the trial. (Karlovy Vary International Film Festival)