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Human rights

The circus founded by human trafficking survivors

31 March Mar 2016 1153 31 March 2016
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A documentary now seeking funds on kickstarter, tells the story of three women, survivors of child trafficking who set up Nepal’s first and only circus

It’s a story of healing, strenght and resilience, the one told by Even when I fall, the documentary about 3 women, survivors of child trafficking, who set up Nepal's first circus. Developed by BAFTA nominated producer Elhum Shakerifar and co-directed by Kate McLarnon and former aerialist Sky Neal, the documentary follows the story of Renu, Saraswoti and Sheetal, who met as teenagers in a Kathmandu refuge after they had been rescued from corrupt big circuses in India, where they had been held captive for years and induced into forced labor. Together, with 10 other survivors of human trafficking, they decided to put to use the acrobatic skills they had developed furing their captivity, and set up their own circus, to raise awareness and educate against trafficking.

The documentary, shot over a period of five years, follows the three women, in their endeavor, as they face the families that sold them and seek acceptance within their own communities. “We've been working with Circus Kathmandu for the past 5 years and know we're making a powerful and beautiful film that has a strongly participatory component.” The production team writes on their Kickstarter page, “We want to tell a story of hope and change in a way that will be as magical to its audience as the most breathtaking circus performance.” With the goal of raising £30,000 and 7 more days to go, the project has already raised over £13,000 from 247 backers.

For more info: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/380060140/even-when-i-fall-grand-finale

Photo by Mary Turner/Getty Images

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