Beauty and Brains
2010, 85 minutes
documenting the Blue Diamond Societies Beauty and Brains talent contest in Nepal
I am discarded from the village with contempt because I am a third gender. But am I not an individual in this society?” Lata Loha – Beauty and Brains participant. Would you enter a talent contest to stop rape and abuse being an everyday part of your existence? To be third-gender (Metis) in Nepal usually means a choice of three careers; giving blessings at weddings, begging or prostitution. Metis are excluded from family and school, are prey to security forces, blackmail and sexual abuse. However, as Nepal attempts to write a new constitution there is a chance of change. In order to be heard above the clamour and civil unrest, the Metis with Sunil Pant and the Blue Diamond Society embarked on the Beauty and Brains Talent Contest. This is the story of a community gaining the confidence to confront prejudice and tell society they are natural human beings. The Grand Finale frames the documentary. Shot on HDV over a three-month period the film uses observational footage and interviews to create an intimate portrait of a community as it becomes more confident. We meet our characters for the first time on the morning of the Finale. As we are introduced to the characters on stage we return to their regional round for their background story. We see the difference between the urban and rural groups in terms of education, ethnicity, caste and colour, hill versus plains, the contrast between Bangkok influenced Kathmandu third genders and the Indian influenced rural ones. Nepal is a traditional society. It has complex social structure based on diversity and discrimination with the power and wealth being held by narrow ruling castes. However, it is country that is demanding change. The Metis and gay community are among the most discriminated against and are for the most part hidden. Sunil Pant is the founder of the successful LGBTI rights organization the Blue Diamond Society. He wants equal rights built into the constitution Nepal is struggling to draw up. He hopes to bring the transgender and gay communities to the attention of the wider public using the Beauty and Brains Talent Contest. Sunil Pant is also the first openly gay MP in Nepal. He has to juggle his new role as constitutional assembly member with continuing the level of support that the BDS members have been used to. Shreya is prepared to put her children’s future at risk for her human rights. By taking part in the contest Jyoti is risking her Masters Degree to find her sexuality and femininity. Lotta has little education and no expectations of justice in life but is finding self-esteem. Sondya was on the streets of Kathmandu by the age of 13, after a controversial decision in Naranghat can she take her rightful place as winner? After the regional finals we return to Katmandu we find all is not well in the community. Disgruntled Metis have threatened to disrupt the final show. This is not a hollow threat as one is the leader of a gang of sex workers. Rather than risk bad press the Grande Finale in Kathmandu is cancelled. It is decided that an alternative Finale will take place in Pokhara. But there is less than a week to go. Will it be possible to get the participants ready in such a short time? Can the politics and disputes be overcome? Can the community be an example to the rest of Nepal?
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