Writer-director Tribeny Rai's Nepali-language feature film, Shape of Momo, is making waves at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa. The film is in the running for two prestigious awards: Best Debut Director under the Indian Panorama's feature category and the Best Debut Feature Film of a Director in the International Competition section.
A Journey Rooted in Personal Experience
Choosing to direct a film in Nepali, shot in a Sikkim village, was a challenging but ultimately rewarding decision for Rai. She highlights the significant hurdles filmmakers face with such projects, stating, "Filmmakers don't attempt telling stories of different regions, since there are so many challenges involving finance and finding an audience. There is no industry for Nepali films." A graduate in direction and screenplay from the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) in Kolkata, Rai began developing the story soon after her graduation in 2015. However, she dedicated herself to the project five years later.
It was around this time that Kislay Kislay joined as the co-writer, bringing a new perspective to the script. Rai describes her initial draft as "more like a complaint letter," and together they worked to make it more objective and critical of their protagonist. The film's story, which loosely mirrors Rai's own life, follows 32-year-old Bishnu, who returns to her village after quitting her city job. Living with her grandmother, mother, and pregnant sister, Bishnu begins to question societal norms and grapples with her ideas of independence.
Bringing Authenticity to the Screen
Rai shares a deep emotional connection with her village, Nandok, located about 20 km from Gangtok. This connection translated directly onto the screen, as the film was shot at her own home and its surrounding locations. "Where Bishnu goes for a run is where I go regularly. Even my room is shown as her room in the movie," she reveals. This authenticity was crucial for Rai, who was determined to avoid portraying people from the hills as simpletons. "As humans we are all complex," she asserts, a philosophy that guided the development of Bishnu's multifaceted character.
The film's journey has been supported by like-minded collaborators and key industry platforms. Rai's film school friends believed in her vision, and participation in the Work-in-Progress Lab at the NFDC Film Bazaar proved pivotal. There, Shape of Momo won the top prize. The project also received the Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum Goes to Cannes award, which significantly boosted its visibility and helped in shaping the final film.
Future Endeavors and Homecoming
The success of Shape of Momo has kept Rai busy with festival travels, leaving little time to plan her next directorial project. However, she is actively involved as the co-producer for Kislay's next feature, A Death Foretold, which is currently in the co-production market of the WAVES Film Bazaar.
When not traveling, Rai spends most of her time in her village, a environment that fuels her creativity by freeing her from the constant pressure to produce. This arrangement, however, has its flipside. "Since I am at home writing, many assume I am jobless. So, I end up doing chores and driving my mother to weddings and funerals," she shares. This perception has notably changed since the creation of her acclaimed film. Looking ahead, Rai's ultimate goal is to release Shape of Momo in Sikkim and other Nepali-speaking areas, bringing her story full circle to the community that inspired it.
