Black Roses and Red Dresses

Three Indian acid-attack survivors confront the violence committed against them by writing letters to their attackers.


In India, 23-year-old Laxmi, an acid-attack survivor and co-founder of Stop Acid Attacks, initiates the Black Rose Campaign to encourage survivors to write letters to their attackers as a process of healing. As she begins to write her letter, she confronts a fear that has haunted her for the nine years since her attack.

A week before the two year anniversary of 19-year-old Ritu’s acid attack, she struggles to write her letter. Ritu is plagued by agonising memories, painful scars, a fear of the colour red, and persistent feelings of wanting revenge.

Meanwhile, Ritu's friend Roopa would rather forget the past. She does not want to write a letter. But she is inspired to help Ritu through this difficult week. Secretly, Roopa buys red material and starts sewing a surprise gift.