The recent Gen Z-led protests in Nepal, which turned violent and led to several deaths, may still mark a turning point for the country’s future, believes Nepali-American filmmaker Nani Sahra Walker. Pointing to the appointment of Nepal’s first woman interim prime minister, Walker described the moment as cautiously hopeful but warned that real change depends on decisive action.
‘A signal, but not enough on its own’
Speaking on the sidelines of the International Film Festival of India, where her film Shakti was screened, Walker said the political shift could be meaningful if followed through with structural reforms.
“It is an important signal, but real change depends on how boldly these new priorities are carried forward,” said Walker, who was born and raised in Kathmandu and now lives in the United States. She added that Nepal is at a critical juncture where leaders must prioritise women’s rights and caste equity in a substantive manner.
Youth demanding dignity and justice
According to Walker, Nepal has lagged behind much of Asia in governance and social reform. She sees the recent protests as an expression of deep frustration among young people.
“Young people are demanding better governance, rooted in something very basic: the right to safety, dignity, and justice,” she said, underlining that these demands go beyond political slogans.
Shakti explores caste and gender violence
Shakti tells the story of a single mother working as a sanitation worker in a hospital and her nine-year-old daughter, whose life is upended by abuse. Through their struggles, the film examines caste-based discrimination, gender violence, corruption, and society’s apathy towards women.
Walker explained that women from oppressed caste communities face compounded discrimination, while even dominant-caste women remain constrained by patriarchy. “Addressing these systems isn’t about protecting one group alone, but transforming the social structure so everyone can benefit,” she noted.
Law, cinema and accountability
The film also highlights Nepal’s controversial legal provision that once required survivors of sexual violence to report crimes within a year. After sustained protests, the statute of limitations was extended to two years in 2022.
“Reforming laws like this isn’t symbolic. It directly impacts survivors’ ability to seek justice,” Walker said.
An Academy Award winner for Best Documentary Short for The Last Repair Shop in 2024, Walker chose fiction for her feature debut to protect survivors’ privacy. She said narrative cinema allows filmmakers to convey emotional truth without exposing individuals to further harm.