Film Bazaar Work-in-Progress ‘Shape of Momo’ Aims to Reshape Women’s Position in Society

As a seasoned movie enthusiast with a deep appreciation for stories that challenge societal norms and inspire change, I find Tribeny Rai’s work incredibly captivating. Her life journey, marked by her determination to defy tradition and prove women’s strength, resonates profoundly with me.


One time, film director Tribeny Rai demonstrated her strength by performing manual labor in her hometown of Sikkim, India. However, she realized that such extreme measures were not enough to overcome the deep-rooted issues of patriarchy and traditional beliefs that favor men, including male decision-making, preference for male offspring, and even women’s perception of their own roles in society.

In a unique, gentle strategy, Rai’s latest movie titled “The Shape of Momo” addresses a challenging topic. The story revolves around a woman who leaves her career behind and re-joins her seemingly afflicted family, marked by the untimely deaths of multiple men. However, she encounters lethargy and lack of drive among the remaining women and decides to empower herself and encourage them to take charge of their lives independently.

The movie delves into topics such as tradition, family relationships, and the battle for freedom from familial restrictions. We wonder if the main character Bishnu will challenge these norms and pave her way towards self-reliance. Alternatively, will she yield to the intense pressure to conform? This is the question Rai poses.

Right now, we’re polishing the last details of our movie before it’s ready. We’re on the hunt for funds during post-production to wrap things up. Before Film Bazaar, where ‘The Shape of Momo’ will be showcased in the Work-in-Progress Lab, she shared this with EbMaster. By participating, we hope to attract attention from important figures within the industry, such as potential co-producers, international sales agents, distributors, and festival programmers, who can help our film reach a global audience.” It’s set up as a joint production between Dalley Khorsani Productions and Kathkala Films, with contributions coming from both India and Nepal.

Earlier this year, the project was included in the 2022 edition of the Produire au Sud Film Lab at the Festival des 3 Continents (South Asia). However, it marks the inaugural participation of this project in any film market, specifically through Film Bazaar.

Rai’s journey to creating this film has been diverse. After studying at the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute in Kolkata, India, she attended the VGIK International Summer School in Russia, and participated in the Producers Lab at the Rotterdam Film Festival. She also visited Docskool Clinik in Kathmandu and finished the Talent Campus program of the Fajr International Film Festival in Iran.

Besides working on the script and editing of this movie, Kislay Kislay was also one of the writers for the film “Soni,” which had its debut at the Venice Film Festival back in 2018.

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2024-11-21 10:16