New York Premiere

This film has English subtitles.

Dominated by her husband, family and society, Belmaya is desperate for independence. Born in a poor hill village in Nepal, a Dalit (the lowest, ‘untouchable’ caste), orphaned aged nine, and trapped in an abusive marriage with a baby daughter, Belmaya at 21 has given up hope of finding happiness.

Rewind to 2006, when Belmaya, then 14 and living in a girls’ home in Pokhara, participated in a photo project. A natural feminist, full of passion and mischief, she was eager to change her discriminatory world through photography. But that window closed when the home locked away her camera. 

Now she gets a second chance, this time to train in documentary filmmaking. Picking up the camera once more, her maverick spark returns. Determined to create a better life for her young daughter, Belmaya gains the skills and confidence to forge a new path. But are her resentful husband and conservative community ready for this? A moving and inspirational tale of rebellion, courage and hope, spanning 14 years, as Belmaya battles to change her story.