For as long as there have been fishermen along the coasts of Bombay, the Koli knowledge system has guided them… that is, until recently. Rakesh and Ganesh are two inheritors of this tradition, and they often follow its guidance at the urging of their grandmothers. The two friends differ, however, in their approach to fishing. While Rakesh follows the fish and often braves storms to find larger catches, Ganesh has forsaken the old ways and engages in modern mechanized fishing—and the illegal practice of “light fishing,” where powerful LED lamps are used to attract fish after nightfall. Against the Tide follows both men and showcases their crumbling friendship as resentment builds between them.
Winner of the Special Jury Award for Vérité Filmmaking at Sundance and the UN Perception Change Award at the Visions du Réel festival, Against the Tide may already be on your radar for procurement. The film will appeal most to those with a strong interest in Indian culture or a deep appreciation for documentary filmmaking. However, viewers without a foundation in Indian social structures or a taste for ethnographic documentaries may find themselves adrift. While many have praised Against the Tide as an impressive example of cinéma vérité, the presence of a carefully shaped editorial narrative may diminish its authenticity for purists who expect minimal intervention. For me, that noticeable construction blunted some of the camera’s truth.
As a cultural tale of environmentalism and community struggle, Against the Tide offers a compelling perspective, even if its vérité claims are contested. With insight into the daily lives of Bombay’s fishing communities and the cultural weight of the Koli fishing tradition, this documentary will be essential viewing for those studying the belief systems and environmental practices of coastal India. Recommended.
What kind of film series would this narrative fit in?
This film would be a great selection in a documentary film series on traditional ecological knowledge, sustainable fishing, or the effects of modernization on indigenous communities. It also fits well in themed programming around South Asian cinema, rural livelihoods, or friendship and estrangement. As a Sundance and Visions du Réel award-winner, Against the Tide would be right at home in a series spotlighting acclaimed international documentaries or vérité-style storytelling. Libraries and campus programming teams might also consider pairing it with fiction or non-fiction films exploring environmental justice or coastal communities, such as The Islands and the Whales or The Forgotten Coast.
What academic subjects would this film be suitable for?
Academically, Against the Tide is highly suitable for courses in Anthropology, Environmental Studies, South Asian Studies, Geography, Sociology, and Religious or Cultural Studies. It presents opportunities to discuss the tension between traditional ecological knowledge and industrialized practices, particularly in the Global South. The film can also support conversations about caste, kinship, masculinity, community-based conservation, and the role of oral tradition in shaping sustainable practices. Students studying documentary film or visual anthropology will also benefit from analyzing the film’s vérité approach and editorial choices, especially in discussions around authorial presence and narrative construction.