Even When I Fall, a film by Sky Neal and Kate Mclarnon is the shocking story behind Nepal’s first circus.

Sheetal and Saraswoti met as teenagers in a Kathmandu refuge, both survivors of child trafficking to Indian circuses. They had been rescued and brought back across the border to Nepal, but what does the future hold for these young women returning to a home they barely remember? Even When I Fall traces their journey over 6 years, as they reclaim their breath-taking skills as circus artists and begin to build a future against all the odds. Along with 11 other young trafficking survivors, they form Circus Kathmandu – Nepal’s first and only circus – creating a livelihood for themselves and simultaneously working to educate and challenge the deep-seated stigma against trafficked women. This intimate, beautiful film harnesses the visual power of circus to give a unique perspective into the complex world of human trafficking.

Run Time: 95 minutes

Produced by: Elhum Shakerifar

Trailer: https://vimeo.com/257666482

Nominated for the Discovery Award, British Independent Film Awards 2017

Uma Singh, a 26 year old Nepalese journalist who worked for a local radio station in Janakpur in western Nepal, was hacked to death when a group of 15 men entered the room she rented in a house on Sunday night. The attack happened in full view of other residents. Singh had a history of writing articles critical of the dowry payment system, reports CNN,

“If the government is not ready to provide any kind of security to journalists, it will be very difficult to do journalism in a free mode,” said Dharmendra Jha, president of the federation… “I am very very shocked… She was my student and I brought her into active journalism… The problem we’re facing is the problem of impunity… There are many armed groups in plain sight. The government has to hold them accountable. Otherwise, we are not safe.” link

CNN goes on to report that there has been an increase in attacks on journalists in recent months,

[The Federation of Nepali Journalists] released a year-end report, recording 284 incidents — including three deaths and a kidnapping. The incidents also include shutting down media outlets, burning copies of magazines and beatings. link

UPDATE: with video link via MyRepublica