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Women Rebels press kit
Citation preview
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
www.womenrebels.org