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The Sari Soldiers
US/Nepal, 2008, 90 minutes, Color, DVD, Nepali/English, Subtitled
Order No. W09950
Filmed over three years during the most historic and pivotal time in Nepal’s modern history, The Sari Soldiers is an extraordinary story of six women’s courageous efforts to shape Nepal’s future in the midst of an escalating civil war against Maoist insurgents, and the King’s crackdown on civil liberties.
When Devi, mother of a 15-year-old girl, witnesses her niece being tortured and murdered by the Royal Nepal Army, she speaks publicly about the atrocity. The army abducts her daughter in retaliation, and Devi embarks on a three-year struggle to uncover her daughter’s fate and see justice done. The Sari Soldiers follows her and five other brave women: Maoist Commander Kranti; Royal Nepal Army Officer Rajani; Krishna, a monarchist from a rural community who leads a rebellion against the Maoists; Mandira, a human rights lawyer; and Ram Kumari, a young student activist shaping the protests to reclaim democracy. The Sari Soldiers delves into the extraordinary journey of these women on opposing sides of the conflict and the democratic revolution reshaping their country’s future.
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Julie Bridgham is available for speaking engagements. Contact her at sarisoldiers@yahoo.com.
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AWARDS, FESTIVALS, & SCREENINGS
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Tri-Continental Film Festival, India, Grand Jury Prize |
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One World Film Festival, Prague, Special Jury Mention |
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Rencontres International Film Festival, Montreal, “Camera as Activist Award”: Best Socio-Political Film |
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WATCH DOCS Human Rights in Film Int’l Film Festival, Feature Length Competition Special Mention |
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Human Rights Watch Film Festival, NY, Nestor Almendros Prize |
- Northwest Film Center, Portland
- Santa Fe Film Center
- Seattle, Film, Faith and Justice Festival
- Peabody Essex Museum, MA
- Jacob Burns Center, NY
- Human Rights Watch FF, London
- DOC NZ International Film Festival, New Zealand
- Human Rights Watch FF, Buenos Aires
- Olympia FF
- Pravo Ljudski Human Rights FF, Sarajevo
- Seattle Human Rights FF
- Kathmandu Mountain FF
- Human Rights Watch Int'l Traveling FF
- India International Women’s Film Festival
- International Women's Day
- Boston International Film Festival
- Sarasota Film Festival
- Walker Art Center, MN
- Cinema Arts Centre, NY
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QUOTES
“Bridgham's overarching portrait of political upheaval is compassionate and insightful, …the director discovers a symbol of both inspirational human rights advocacy, and the terrible tragedy of tyranny.”
Nick Schager
Slant Magazine
“Unforgettable…exemplary. Reveals a changing world and compels us to acknowledge the importance for reconciliation…in reconstructing our country. These women are true revolutionaries.”
Dr. Bidya Ranjeet
President, The Nepali Women’s Global Network
“Captures ordinary women’s extraordinary lives and reveals them as important pieces of history. Anyone concerned with social justice, gender justice and human rights should see [it].”
Rama Lohani-Chase
Women’s and Gender Studies Dept., The College of New Jersey
“Highly Recommended…vivid and alive. An excellent documentary of a people’s struggle to adapt to change within their country and bring about solutions.”
Educational Media Reviews Online
"Impressive.… Give[s] credence to the old feminist saw that if women were given power, they would speedily put an end to war."
Ronnie Scheib
Variety
“Balanced, moving and comprehensive…. It also shows how circumstances can radicalize even the most middle-of-the-road people. Something we should pay more heed to given the current state of world affairs.”
Amber Wilkinson
Eye for Film
“Often women are shown as simply victims of war and violence. The Sari Soldiers presents them as active participants in the fight for justice and human rights.”
Marie Lo
The Asian Reporter
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The Sari Soldiers is included in the following Special Collections.
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RELATED LINKS
View trailer here on the WMM YouTube Channel
Visit the filmmaker's official site
Women at War in Nepal
Feature Article on Director Julie Bridgham and The Sari Soldiers
Human Rights in Nepal
A Blog Providing Background Information on Human Rights Issues in Nepal
Review in Slant Magazine
Courage to Bear Witness to Man’s Infinite Cruelties
NY Times Critic Stephen Holden reviews the films of the 2008 Human Rights Watch Film Festival, New York
Where EAST meets the Northwest: Inspiring Film Gives Voice to the Silenced
Marie Lo, The Asian reporter
Julie Bridgham of ‘Sari Soldiers’ comes to Browning Cinema
Jordan Gamble, The Observer
Filmmaker fulfills Nepalese dream
Jeremy D. Bonfiglio, The South Bend Tribune
Documentary Festival Announces Awards
Bernard Perusse, The Gazette
Interview with Julie Bridgham, Director of The Sari Soldiers
Dilip Barman, Saathee Magazine
RESOURCE: "The Sari Soldiers: A documentary that every conflict resolution professional and student of conflict resolution needs to see", Pronoia Mediation
Blog post by Laura L. Noah, a conflict resolution professional.
“Views of a Changing Nepal,” My Republica by Arpan Shrestha
Interview with four of the six protagonists about their views on a changing Nepal
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FILMS ON THE MID-EAST
Interested in gaining more insight and background on the current conflict in the Middle East? Check out WMM’s powerful documentaries made by and about women in that region, including MY LAND ZION and WOMEN IN STRUGGLE.
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