Where to start: Shakti delivers a powerful message to the systems that continue to fail women, reducing their value to their spouse.

But what happens to those without men to fight for them? They are cast aside, their struggles treated as irrelevant.

The film follows a small family—a hard‑working mother, a mischievous daughter, and a caring aunt—as they navigate daily life. This changes when Durga (Laxmi Bardewa) enrolls her daughter Lila (Polina Oli) in a private painting class to keep her out of trouble. Set in Kathmandu, Nepal, the story reflects the reality of being a woman in a country where systems are stacked against you.

This film depicts unflinching truth without fear. It shows how family dynamics are essential, seen through the three women as they navigate recent changes in their lives. The bond between the sisters was beautiful to watch, as was the aunt‑niece relationship. These moments gave the film a grounding lightness that complements the reality of its direction. Shakti is a call to action for systems to do better. Whether man or woman, we are all human, and gender should never be a reason to deny justice for the evil in this world.

Filmmaker Nani Sahra Walker, in this debut, heavily focuses on human-based reality. The film is emotionally provoking through careful direction, whereby the camera lingers in the silence, making the weight of a voice denied leave an effect on viewers. The pacing gives room to understand the characters; however, it might feel inconsistent. The start is understandably slow as we are introduced to the lives of the three women, portraying Lila’s lightness that children carry, only for it to suddenly change. This feeling carries throughout the film, yet it fits, as the topic being discussed sits heavily.

This film’s resonance and universality make it worth watching, as it is a call to action against prejudice, caste, and societal standards. The cast equally made this film what it is, with rich and outstanding performances, including the supporting cast. Debutant actor Polina Oli embodied her character so well that it felt authentic through every gesture.

A film that lingers.