The must-see films as recommended by Nugah Shrestha

Because our program offers so many great films, we understand that it might be a bit overwhelming for you as a visitor sometimes. To make things easier, we’ve asked some well-known influencers to share which films they’re excited about at this festival. Today, we’re hearing from Nugah Shrestha, who is the founder of the popular Instagram channel, @politieke_jongeren.

Nugah Shrestha currently works at Eigen Haard as the Director of Neighborhood Development and Livability in Amsterdam Centrum and West. Besides his work in housing, he actively engages young people in politics through his Instagram page @polittieke_jongeren. He aims to raise awareness about societal issues and collaborates with organizations like FNV Union, VluchtelingenWerk Nederland (Dutch Council for Refugees), Amnesty International, Woonbond (the Tenants’ Union), and broadcaster VPRO. We asked him about the five films he’s most looking forward to at the MtMF24.

The Monk and the Gun

Pawo Choyning Dorji, 2024

This seems like a special film because of its subject: the very first democratic elections in Bhutan. It’s a country about which I personally know very little. The fact that a serious topic is presented in a light-hearted and comedic manner makes me curious about this film.

Invisible Nation

Vanessa Hope, 2023

It seems to me that a film about Taiwan could provide valuable historical context, allowing for a better understanding of the current situation. It could offer a retrospective on how the current state of affairs came to be and delve into the underlying history behind the geopolitical tensions between Taiwan and China. Especially intriguing now that the elections in Taiwan have just concluded.

Drawing a Line

Sama Pana, 2024

The so-called “largest democracy in the world,” led by Modi, is currently witnessing a tightening grip on freedom of speech. It raises serious questions. How democratic is India if a cartoonist is prohibited from creating politically charged cartoons? What I find particularly remarkable is that Rachita is also attending the festival and will provide insight into her situation after the film.

No Other Land

Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, 2024

This film recently won the Audience Award at the Berlinale in Berlin and caused quite a stir because of the impressive speech by Yuval, one of the directors. This commotion has actually only made me more curious about the film. What sets No Other Land apart is that it’s created by individuals from both Israeli and Palestinian backgrounds. I’m eager to learn more about the situation in the West Bank through this film.

The Body Politic

Gabriel Francis Paz Goodenough, 2023

As a huge fan of The Wire, a series set in Baltimore, I have some understanding of the challenges the city faces. I was surprised to discover that there’s a young, idealistic mayor active in the city, which undoubtedly entails a tough job in such a complex environment. It provides an opportunity to delve deeper into the themes previously explored in The Wire and to shed light on the ongoing struggle against gun violence and injustice in America.