Returned: Child Soldiers of Nepal's Maoist Army trailer

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This is the trailer to the new documentary "Returned: Child Soldier's of Nepal's Maoist Army"


This film depicts child soldiers returning home after the Maoist People's War in Nepal. The film examines why children join armed groups and explores ways to prevent future recruitment by following the lives of two girl soldiers and two boy soldiers. The children describe how they became associated with the Maoist People's Liberation Army during the 11-year civil war between the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoists and the Government of Nepal. The children describe how poverty, lack of education, and gender and ethnic discrimination led them to join the Maoists. The children also express positive aspects of their association with the Maoists, such as respect from others, learning about politics, and helping their country. The children describe their feelings about being sent home by the United Nations after a peace accord was signed in November 2006. Some children express their belief that coming home is much worse than their experiences during association. They report the community discrimination and harassment they suffered back in their homes and villages. One girl describes how her family was so ashamed of her that she was forced to marry a man from a distant village who physically and sexually abused her. Other children describe how they are working with Maoist affiliated groups in the villages and awaiting their opportunity to rejoin the Maoists. This film weaves the voices of Nepal's child soldiers along with expert analysis and explanation provided by anthropologists, journalists, Maoist leaders, nongovernmental organization (NGO) workers, and members of the United Nations.

The intent of the film is raise awareness about the experience of child soldiers in Nepal. The film illustrates how children become part of radical armed movements and also critiques the 'War on Terror' as it may contribute to fostering more recruitment of children into armed groups. Moreover, the film helps critique the international humanitarian movement that often focuses predominantly on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and war trauma to the exclusion of other crucial socio-cultural issues important in children's lives.

The intended audience for this film includes the general public, anthropologists, humanitarian workers, international health workers, and individuals working on international child rights. Additionally, this film will resonate with a more conservative viewer who is concerned with the United States' position regarding the "War on Terror". This film searches to understand why child join armed groups and explores ways to prevent recruitment. This film also appeals to regional audiences such as those from South and East Asia.