The Royston Arts Festival returns for its 2021 edition this September with the theme ‘Renewal.’ The theme explores the hope of ‘starting again’ and ‘improving our lives’, which form the central message in the award-winning documentary I Am Belmaya showing as part of the festival’s wider programme at Royston Picture Palace at 7.30pm on 19th September followed by a Q&A with director Sue Carpenter.
I Am Belmaya is an inspiring documentary about a young woman’s transformational journey from oppressed wife in a poor Nepalese community to pioneering filmmaker. Born as a low-caste Dalit in a patriarchal community, orphaned at nine and trapped in an abusive marriage with a baby daughter at 21, Belmaya has had a difficult life. Yet during her darkest days she returns to her love of photography and filmmaking, and we witness a young woman take charge of her own destiny and prove what can be achieved if we allow every human being real opportunity. As Belmaya grows in confidence and ability, she turns from subject to co-director of her own story. I Am Belmaya is “an inspirational and moving tale of rebellion, courage and hope, shot over five years, as Belmaya battles to change her story and take charge of her life.”
Film programmer Aman Dhillon and founding director at ReelN Ltd says, “I have been following Belmaya’s journey since she won in the Best Short Film category at the UK Asian Film Festival 2019 for her film Educate Our Daughters. Her story is an important one which I know will inspire so many women and I am proud to be showing the film with Royston Picture Palace as part of the Royston Arts Festival and encouraging audiences to support their local cinemas that are reopening after a difficult pandemic year.”
