Prague - Trying to point out injustice and human rights violation, films dealing with these two issues often tend to forget about the other side and by taking a stance voices offering different views are overheard. Not in the film The Sari Soldiers to be screened tonightat the ongoing One World festival in Prague.
In 2005, US director Julie Brigham went to Nepal to examine both sides of the decade-long civil war, which killed 13,000 people and displaced over 100,000. Much to the credit of the director, the film does not take sides and explores all possible angles of the freedom fighters depicted in the film.
And there is one more aspect The Sari Soldiers stand out: Brigham decided to focus solely on female fighters.
Diverse views but one goal
The documentary follows six women caught in the fight between Nepal's King Gyanendra and the Maoist insurgents, offering as diverse views of the civic unrest as you can imagine.
These women include: Maoist top commander Kranti who justifies her armed fight against poverty and the Royal Army and Devi whose daughter was killed by the Royal Nepal Army but she does not give up her efforts to achieve justice.
Then there is Royal Nepal Army officer Rajani who joins the army because of her brother; monarchist Krishna who rebels despite her advanced age against the Maoists invading her rural community; human rights activist Mandira and student activist Ram Kumari who tirelessly convenes street protests against the King's dictatorial rule.
Ironic history
History could not get more ironic with Nepal as well as the young film-maker. Brigham started to film in an autocratic kingdom and finished her project in a republic, trying to reestablish democracy.
The unexpected turn of the female fighters' lives is best illustrated with the Maoist Commander Kranti (Revolution) - she once faught the Royal Nepal Army, having spent a great deal of time in the jungle and presently she helps to write the country' s constitution.
The irony goes even further and the Maoists once fighting the King, sometimes in a very violent way, are to bring those who abuse human rights during the war to justice.
Thanks to being in the right spot during the state of emergency, Brigham's film now promotes peace-making efforts among the once warring communities.
The Sari Soldiers, awarded 2008 Nestor Almendros Prize for courage and commitment to human rights, will run Monday 16 March at 7,30 at the Atlas Cinema. Julie Brigham is scheduled to hold a debate after the screening.
CzechNews Aktuálně.cz will bring an interview with Julie Brigham this week.
You can see the One World festival's program here.
