On a map, it is easy to overlook between superpowers, China and India.

Famed among mountain climbers as the home of Mount Everest; and

Buddhist lovers for its proximity to Tibet.

Nepal had a peace record that was centuries old, avoiding turmoil and

remaining an independent nation.

Unfortunately, the past ten years have

been an altogether different story. Just

six years after a movement to bring

about democracy, a political party known

as the Maoists (rebels) officially began

a People’s War in 1996. Disillusioned

villagers, farmers, and ethnic groups took

up arms and began capturing weapons

from local police posts and from the

Army. They claimed to be fighting for an

equal society, an updated, Nepali version

of the communist republic. Over the

course of 10 years, 15,000 people, on

both sides were killed.

Why did these women decide to join?

What is the story behind the young face

of a Nepali girl, holding an M-16, an

AK-47 on her back? Over the course of

eight months, our team interviewed and

followed the women rebels themselves.

Underlying the personal there was one

overarching reason why these women

decided to join: change.

Meet Silu: A Brigade Commissar in

the People’s Liberation Army, Nepal.

Silu joined the rebels seven years

ago, frustrated by the poverty of her

childhood. A former political prisoner,

Silu dug a tunnel and managed to

escape from jail.

Despite being widowed by the

movement and alienated from her

community, Silu still believes her choice

was the right one. Silu’s story is a

symbol of thousands of women who

joined the rebels movement.

Silu’s life is surrounded by the

complexities of others’ experiences.

Other characters include Silu’s family,

who offer a different perspective on her

life; women rebel soldiers who were

forced to join; and villagers who were

bystanders in an attack where Silu

fought among others. It is up to the

audience to judge Silu’s actions—driven

to violence, or having chosen it.

As of November 2006, a peace

treaty between the Maoists and the

government was signed. But the

question of women like Silu remains.

What will happen to them next as a

result of the peace agreement? Will they

end up back in the kitchen? Or get the

equality that they initially claimed they

were fighting for?

Robert Richter Executive Producer

An incredibly accomplished multiple Academy Award nominee in the documentary short category, Robert’s

documentaries have been telecast in prime time on PBS, CBS, NBC, ABC, TBS, Discovery and many major

overseas television outlets. Among dozens of titles are Guns and Greed, Crossing the Line, and School of

Assassins (Academy nominee, 1994).

Sanam Naraghi-Anderlini Gender Expert/Advisor

Naraghi-Anderlini is one of the leading gender experts in her field. In Nepal she led a UNFPA/UNDP needs

assessment team into Maoist cantonment sites. Since 2005 she has provided strategic advice on gender

mainstreaming to a range of the agencies including the UN’s DPA, DPKO and the UK’s DFID.

Kiran Deol Co-Producer/Director

A Harvard graduate (‘06) in English Literature Honors, Kiran Deol wrote an award winning senior thesis, Dalit

the story of a young Nepali girl who joins the Maoist revolution, under acclaimed advisor/novelist, Jamaica

Kincaid. Kiran has worked with Rapid Blue, a television production company in Johannesburg, where she

wrote, directed, and edited spots for SABC. She was selected for the directing training program by the Emmy

Academy out of 1,000 applicants after the viewing of her short film, Once Upon A Time.

Cristina Malavenda Co-Producer

A graduate of Vanderbilt University (’06) in communications, Cristina Malavenda went on to attend the

production program at the University of Southern California, with a special emphasis on producing. She has

worked extensively on projects relating to women’s rights in the past.

Monica Rana Liason

A Harvard graduate (‘06) in Economics Honors, Monica Rana is of Nepali origin, born and raised in Nepal.

Monica was able to provide the initial logistical support necessary to launch the project. She currently works

as an investment banker for Morgan Stanley in London.

Lujaw Singh and Kamal Shrestha Cinematography Team

Two of Nepal’s leading professional cameramen, Lujaw and Kamal both worked for leading news organizations

in the country before moving into freelance work including documentaries, music videos, and films.

Saundarya Thapa Translator

The in-field translator, Sundaria is a Nepali international student born and raised in Nepal, majoring in

Women’s Studies at Bryn Mawr University. Saundarya was first published in the nationally distributed Nepali

Times newspaper at the age of fifteen. Kiran Deol

1710 N. Fuller Ave #112

Los Angeles, CA 90046

(617) 230-9721

www.womenrebels.org

kiran@womenrebels.org

www.womenrebels.org