‘Shape of Momo’ wins two awards at Busan film festival

Sikkimese filmmaker Tribeny Geeta Rai’s debut film, Shape of Momo, has earned international acclaim, winning two awards at the recently concluded Busan International Film Festival. The Nepali-language film received the Taipei Film Commission Award and the Songwon Vision Award in the festival’s Vision Section.

The 114-minute drama explores the challenges women face while navigating social norms across generations. It tells the story of Bishnu, a young woman returning to her Himalayan village after quitting her job, as she contends with family expectations and societal pressures. Bishnu must make difficult choices between tradition and independence, particularly with the arrival of her pregnant sister and the emergence of a potential romantic bond.

Rai described the film as deeply personal, stemming from her own experiences after returning to her village, Nandok in East Sikkim, following her studies at the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI). “Women from rural areas struggle to be independent, often feeling caught between city life and village obligations,” she said. She emphasized that the story, while personal, is a layered reflection on gender, class, and the everyday struggles of ordinary people.

Filmmaking, Rai said, is about observing life closely. “Cinema is not merely spectacle or escape; it lies in the small details that reveal a larger universe,” she noted. Most of the film’s crew were like-minded peers from film schools such as SRFTI and FTII, which made the production process collaborative and meaningful. Rai highlighted the challenges of independent filmmaking in Sikkim, including budget limitations, but added that these constraints fostered creativity and resourcefulness.

Reflecting on her journey, Rai credited her storytelling passion to a childhood shaped by limited television and a love for reading. While her next projects are still in development, she hopes to continue exploring the complexities of human nature.