Director Virginia Kharkhongor uses nuance to tell the story of an immigrant Indian mother Debika Chatterjee who fights against Norwegian foster care to reclaim her children. Through its narrative the movie depicts immigrant family challenges when operating under legal systems of foreign nations.
During the Velfred-aggravated separation from her children Debika faces severe isolation because Aniruddha spends most of his time worried about keeping his immigration status. Throughout the courtroom narrative the audience witnesses damaging institutional flaws within Debika’s child welfare case which deepen her emotional struggles while she changes legal advocates. The film visually depicts Debika’s elaborate Indian cultural background against Norway’s frigid wilderness which intensifies its powerful emotional touch.
The decision Debika makes to abduct her children generates the risk of entering melodramatic territory that conflicts with the film’s real-life elements. Through its sympathetic portrayal of motherhood and cultural heritage the film offers a thought-provoking examination of familial sacrifice and creates a compelling narrative journey while invoking viewer emotions from anger to empathy towards Debika.
