Best Documentary Oscar nod for film produced by Brampton poet Rupi Kaur
Published February 21, 2024 at 12:09 pm
Best-selling Brampton author and poet Rupi Kaur can add producer of an Oscar-nominated film to her list of accomplishments thanks to a nod for Best Documentary feature.
Telling the true story of Indian farmer Ranjit and his 13-year-old daughter, “To Kill a Tiger” sheds light on the prevalence of rape and the struggles survivors face in India as the father fights for justice following the sexual assault of his daughter.
“In India, where a rape is reported every 20 minutes and conviction rates are less than 30 percent, Ranjit’s decision to support his daughter is virtually unheard of, and his journey unprecedented,” the film’s synopsis reads.
Directed by Toronto-based filmmaker Nisha Pahuja, Kaur worked as an executive producer on “To Kill a Tiger” along with other big names in the South Asian community including Hollywood actors and producers Dev Patel Mindy Kaling, and the Brampton author is celebrating now that the film has been nominated for Best Documentary Feature.
“I’m honored beyond words to be an executive producer on such a powerful documentary,” Kaur wrote on a social media post celebrating the nomination. “I feel so emotional thinking about everything little Kiran and her dad survived. now their story is being recognized with a nomination for best documentary at the Oscars.”
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Kaur was born in Punjab and went to Brampton’s Turner Fenton Secondary School after emigrating to Canada. A New York Times No. 1 bestselling author, Kaur has sold over 11 million copies of her works including the collections “Milk and Honey,” “The Sun and Her Flowers” and “Home Body.”
Not one to cower from tackling heavy subjects, one of Kaur’s works was pulled from some library shelves in Texas due to parental complaints that the book was not appropriate for children. “Milk and Honey was published in 2014 and features a collection of poems and passages dealing with themes such as sexual assault and abuse, love, loss and femininity.
She also recently declined an invitation to the White House for U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris’ Diwali celebration in protest of that country’s response to the Israel-Gaza war.
“To Kill a Tiger” has also partnered with the #StandWithHer campaign, aimed at ending toxic masculinity by addressing systemic patriarchal practices.
“Through this campaign, we pledge to prioritize the agency, dignity, and safety of everyone involved, especially survivors, and offer fair compensation to participants,” the film website reads.
The documentary is being shown in select screenings in the U.S. this month, but local moviegoers can catch a showing of “To Kill a Tiger” at the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema on Feb. 28.
For more information or to get tickets to see “To Kill a Tiger” visit www.tokillatigerfilm.com.
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