Dochouse Presents: Light Fly, Fly High

Dir. Beathe Hofseth & Susann Østigaard
Norway - 2013 - 80mins

Thulasi is a young woman who was born a "Dalit," or "untouchable" in the Indian caste system. Her early years were a struggle for survival but now she is willing to literally fight for a better life through boxing. At 25, Thulasi has only one year to qualify for a government programme, a lifeline which offers a good job and better future. But her boxing club is run by corrupt coaches who regularly abuse the young boxers. Thulasi will have to overcome more obstacles than just winning the tournament if she is to achieve her goals.

This powerful documentary from Beathe Hofseth and Susann Østigaard reveals the brutal underbelly of amateur sports and the treatment of women in India. Following Thulasi for three years it documents the ups and downs of this inspirational woman's fight to take control of her future.

Winner: Best Documentary - One World Media Awards

Winner: Oxfam Global Justice Award, IDFA 2013

Honorable Mention: Tromsø International Film Festival 2014

+ Panel discussion

The screening will be followed by a panel discussion on issues raised by the film. Speakers include:

Dr Ian Patel is a legal academic at King's College London who specialises in criminal justice and critical approaches to national security law. One of his research interests is human rights in India. In his spare time he is a boxing coach at Total Boxer (totalboxer.com/) and maintains a longstanding interest in boxing - in particular, the political and boxing life of Muhammad Ali. He has written about women's boxing in The Guardian.