Living Goddess is a journey into the small Himalayan kingdom of Nepal rooted in religious and political tradition facing the challenges of modernization and political reform. The film’s backdrop is one of turbulence - during the day riot police confront Maoist protesters who demand the resignation of the King while in the palace courtyard devotees jostle to touch the feet of the living goddess, Sajani, believing it will bring them good luck.

The film juxtaposes the call for political reform against intimate footage of Sajani going to school, playing hide and seek, collapsing in giggles in front of the camera along with religious ceremonies full of pomp and circumstance. The film is a powerful portrait of a young girl venerated as a goddess growing up in a country on the verge of civil war.

---

Living Goddess Product Information:

Grade Level: AP World History, College and University
Subjects: Culture, Asian Studies, Religion, Sociology, Women’s Studies
Set: DVD Only
Total Running Time: 87 minutes
Educational Prices: (includes Public Performance Rights)

• College / University: $249.00
  
  

• Library / High School: $129.00
  
  

• Note: If you are unable to pay via PayPal, please contact info@alivemindeducation.com or call us at 212-398-3112 to order this title.

 
 
 
For public exhibition inquiries please contact us for more details!

---

Video Librarian Review
September/October 2008

Living Goddess

Rating: 3 Stars - Recommended

Ishbel Whitaker’s compelling documentary captures an extraordinary moment in time when ancient Asian customs were threatened by 21st century revolution. In the Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal, three young girls—all under the age of 12—have been identified as living deities, which means that their young lives are transformed wildly as they become the center of feverish religious devotion. Outside their world, however, an unparalleled power struggle threatens to disrupt Nepal as the longstanding civil war sparked by Maoist rebels in 1996 continues to wreck the country, while the nation’s power-hungry king launches a military response to a growing pro-democracy movement. Living Goddess presents Nepal as a country literally at oddes with itself, as the fussing and primping of the adolescent “goddesses” here is seen in sharp contrazst to footage of armed military forces brutally subduing protestors in the streets. Overall, the girls appear to be much too young to comprehend the depth and scope of their religious lives—yes, they enjoy the attentions, but their demeanor and behavior suggest typical kids rather than atypical deities. Brilliantly filmed under fairly difficult circumstances, Living Goddess will definitely appeal to anyone with an interest in Eastern religions. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)