In the remote village of Tora near the India-Myanmar border, there are no roads, no water supply, no schools or hospitals. Despite over seventy years of independence in India, the village has been marginalized and forgotten because of its long history of rebellions. Then one day, news arrives that electricity will finally reach the village. The villagers are skeptical yet excited about illuminating their Christmas with bright lights. A small shop owner is thrilled at the prospect of purchasing a refrigerator and selling ice cream while the village men toil, digging a hole to erect a utility pole. With a tender and considerate gaze, Flickering Lights observe the villagers’ dreams and reality, hopes and despair until the day the village’s first lightbulb flickers to life. The villagers’ humor-laden optimism and yearning to escape the shadows of history shines brightly, much like the brilliant light that comes on after a few flickers. (KANG Sowon)