WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
The innocence of childhood. Even when finding themselves immersed in circumstances where most would want to give up or give in, a resilience and determined mindset to push forward seems to so often resonate within the young, a striving to glean the best out of any situation and seek out hope. In the Nepalese city of Kathmandu, three children–Maya (Ashmita Tamang), her brother Kancha (Aakash Malla), and friend Bikram (Suraj Tamang)–are encountering such trials, first escaping one harrowing and gut-wrenching fate, only to end up on the harsh, unforgiving streets and rugged landscapes of the city, vulnerable, with no place to call home, no money to acquire sustenance, and only each other’s companionship to cling to.
Having to battle their own personal senses of loneliness and frustration while maintaining a dogged desire to see life take a turn for the better, Kancha and Bikram truly begin to step up practically as young men, watching out for Maya even as they all aim to preserve their identities as children through appreciating the beauty of what’s around them, entertaining simple delights, and embracing unspoiled dreams. Hence, as they endeavor to survive via Kancha and Bikram’s efforts at manual labor to provide desperately needed wages, or simply gaining necessary staples through a little minor thievery, this deeper, more meaningful bond flourishes between the three. In the midst of dark situations and disappointments, hope, joy, and even a small taste of first love, emerges.
Next, my Mind:
With its impactful, candid, heart-tugging narrative, vivid, haunting themes, soul-stirring visuals, affecting soundtrack, and potent, emotionally-charged, evocative moral about the ever-so-needed message of conquering circumstance and aspiring to hope, director/co-writer Veemsen Lama’s 14-minute short film stimulates the mind, inspires the heart, invokes compassion for the causes it champions, and more than illustrates why powerful storytelling like this is such a critically needed element in modern filmmaking, so often absent in mainstream efforts, but so prevalent within the independent community. Stunning cinematography showcasing Kathmandu’s slum-like recesses to the splendidly beautiful, verdant, countryside accompanies the film’s story with intent and precision. Taking it all in will captivate viewers, and frankly moved this reviewer to tears by the finale.
Complete and absolute credit has to be given to Tamang, Malla, and Tamang for the fantastic performances provided here, and all equal in measure. To have three young kids emote and enact such an intense storyline that’s both keenly spiritual and material in content, plus manage to do it with such an amazing level of believability, is a true testament to Lama and his production staff’s well-executed casting choices and direction. The sheer innocence of the three actors exudes from them as the characters navigate the film’s myriad of subject matters, engaging the viewer from the beginning to end via humor, anguish, longsuffering, and joy, presented as can only be understood through the eyes of children. What stands out as well is that situations like the ones portrayed are all to present in this world, and these three actors will make you think about and feel it all.
In total, “Maya” is a poignant, irrevocably realistic story that displays some hard, inescapable truths about the state of this world and the attack on our youth, while very convincingly and conclusively presenting the concept that there is such an incredibly powerful inspiration from God contained within the human spirit that can drive us towards love and hope, regardless of age or the tribulations we might face.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
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