Join us for a screening of Marriage Cops on November 5, where we will also host a Q&A with directors Shashwati Talukdar (via Zoom) and Cheryl Hess (in-person). The discussion will be moderated by TFTV Professor and co-editor of the film, Jacob Bricca, ACE.

Within the bustling corridors of a Dehradun police station, a remarkable form of justice unfolds as Officer Sandhya and her all-woman team mediate troubled marriages in northern India. This intimate observational documentary follows three couples whose stories range from everyday domestic conflicts to harrowing cases of violence and neglect, offering a window onto the evolving landscape of gender relations in contemporary Indian society. The film captures the raw emotional intensity of these confrontations as well as the warmth and camaraderie among the officers during lunch breaks and quiet moments between cases. As the women navigate their dual roles as enforcers and counsellors, we witness a unique institution that serves as a critical lifeline for women who have few other avenues for support. Through its balanced portrayal of moments both heartbreaking and humorous, Marriage Cops illuminates a powerful intersection where traditional marriage values collide with emerging concepts of women’s rights.