Devi

Synopsis

At seventeen, Devi was falsely accused of rebellion, imprisoned, and raped by police and soldiers during Nepal’s civil war. After the war, she became a member of the parliament. Despite the abolition of the monarchy and the establishment of a republic, the truth of the brutal violence inflicted on women during the war remains unaddressed, with no justice or compensation provided. She is the only survivor who has publicly testified about the wartime sexual violence, standing as a voice for countless others who continue to live in silence. The film reconstructs Devi’s life through diaries and archival footage. As a mother of a teenage daughter, Devi’s right to a peaceful life is continually undermined by a patriarchal order that brands her solely as a “victim”. Yet, the moments of solidarity and empathy shared among her, other survivors, her daughter, and the film’s production team hint at a deeper, more meaningful victory—overcoming fear and trauma.