Bulbul Can Sing

As in her two previous films, the story of Indian director Rima Das' latest feature is set in her native village of Kalardiya in the Indian state of Assam. Das not only directed, but also wrote the script, did the cinematography and produced the film – a tender coming-of-age story about the clash between the traditional values of a rural community and a need for more individual freedom, especially with regard to sexual morals.

It was the father's long-cherished desire for his daughter to become a singer, which is why he named her Bulbul, nightingale. But the voice of the now 15-year-old girl is too thin and this feeds her insecurity. Bulbul is not alone, her two best friends, the delicate Bonny and the heavily bullied Suman, are also struggling with their insecurity. Meanwhile, all three begin to experience the first stirrings of love; for the traditional and religious villagers this is unacceptable. Also awarded in Berlin.