After his father dies, Anand returns from Mumbai to his ancestral village in the rugged countryside of western India, to reluctantly fulfil a ten-day mourning period. Facing pressure from his relatives to get married, and alienated by rituals that seem far removed from his urban life, Anand reconnects with his childhood friend Balya. This partly autobiographical, award-winning feature debut from Rohan Parashuram Kanawade heralds an exciting new talent. Confronting the oppressive effects of tradition and customs on queer expression, the film nonetheless captures the nuances of life in the provinces, achieving a gripping sense of a culture in motion. Exquisitely shot and acted, Cactus Pears is a brave meditation on the complexities of grief and the liberating power of sexuality.