Punam
Encyclopedia
Punam is a 2006 documentary film about nine-year-old girl Punam Tamang
from Bhaktapur
, Nepal
. It was directed by Lucian and Natasa Muntean (aka Lunam Docs
), a Serbian independent documentary production duo specializing in telling the stories of working children.
transports us to the Nepal
city of Bhaktapur
. There we are presented with a stark description of the hard life of this young girl and the dismal social conditions in which she lives. Punam's mother died when she was only five. She was left with her father, her newborn sister Rabina and her two–year–old brother Krishna. The Tamang
children see little of their father because he works from sunrise to sundown in a rice factory, in order to earn enough money for their school fees ($1.50 USD per month/student), and so during the daytime Punam assumes the roles of head of the family, caregiver and homemaker.
The film also takes us into the world of Punam's friends whose families do not make enough money to afford the school fee. Instead of studying, these children have to work in a stone quarry
or brick–making factory to help their families get by. The film captures the hard work the children are required to perform and also takes a peek into the poor five–grade school that represents Punam's symbol of hope. She believes that education
ushers in progress and is the only opportunity for improving their situation – perhaps bringing about new job opportunities in better conditions. We look at the situation through the eyes of this young Asian girl, who dreams of becoming a teacher and helping other children in situations like hers.
The PUNAM FUND, a non-profit organisation, founded by Lucian and Natasa Muntean, was established in September 2007 as a result of the enormous positive feedback regarding the documentary film Punam, which inspired people from all over the world to help the children presented in the film. The PUNAM FUND is dedicated to the elimination of and fight against child labour. For the time being, the activities of the PUNAM FUND are aimed at the children featured in the films Punam and Journey of a Red Fridge
. Its main goal is to reduce the number of illiterate working children by providing scholarships for the children who work in stone quarries
, brick kilns and carpet factories in the Bhaktapur
region and for child porters
working in Himalayan Mountains of Nepal
.
, Prague
, Czech Republic
. Since then, Punam has been screened at more than 50 international festivals and received 8 awards, one of them the UNICEF Award for Children Rights.
In 2006, Punam was voted the most popular film among teachers in the Czech Republic
. Punam was offered, for educational purposes, to more than 250 primary and secondary schools. About 10,000 children had the opportunity to view the documentary film Punam and debate on child labour issues. What is more, Human Rights Watch
included it into its High School Program in the USA.
On 10 December 2006, on the occasion of the International Human Rights Day, Punam was screened at the UN Headquarters in New York
.
Punam was released on DVD in March 2009.
) returned to Bhaktapur
, Nepal
for the shooting of Punam sequel. This documentary was produced in association with The Global Fund for Children
.
Tamang
The Tamangs are the ancient and original inhabitants of the mountains and plains of the Himalayan regions of Nepal and India. Their ancient capital being Yambu - modern day Kathmandu. They have their own distinct culture, language and religion. Their ancestral domain is popularly known as...
from Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur , also Bhadgaon or Khwopa is an ancient Newar town in the east corner of the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. It is located in Bhaktapur District in the Bagmati Zone...
, Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
. It was directed by Lucian and Natasa Muntean (aka Lunam Docs
Lunam Docs
Lunam Docs is an independent documentary film production duo - Lucian and Natasa Muntean - dedicated to documentary filmmaking on human rights and social justice, around the world, with special attention paid to children rights and child labour.Through their films, Lunam Docs is trying to present...
), a Serbian independent documentary production duo specializing in telling the stories of working children.
Synopsis
The child's voice of nine–year–old Punam TamangTamang
The Tamangs are the ancient and original inhabitants of the mountains and plains of the Himalayan regions of Nepal and India. Their ancient capital being Yambu - modern day Kathmandu. They have their own distinct culture, language and religion. Their ancestral domain is popularly known as...
transports us to the Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
city of Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur , also Bhadgaon or Khwopa is an ancient Newar town in the east corner of the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. It is located in Bhaktapur District in the Bagmati Zone...
. There we are presented with a stark description of the hard life of this young girl and the dismal social conditions in which she lives. Punam's mother died when she was only five. She was left with her father, her newborn sister Rabina and her two–year–old brother Krishna. The Tamang
Tamang
The Tamangs are the ancient and original inhabitants of the mountains and plains of the Himalayan regions of Nepal and India. Their ancient capital being Yambu - modern day Kathmandu. They have their own distinct culture, language and religion. Their ancestral domain is popularly known as...
children see little of their father because he works from sunrise to sundown in a rice factory, in order to earn enough money for their school fees ($1.50 USD per month/student), and so during the daytime Punam assumes the roles of head of the family, caregiver and homemaker.
The film also takes us into the world of Punam's friends whose families do not make enough money to afford the school fee. Instead of studying, these children have to work in a stone quarry
Quarry
A quarry is a type of open-pit mine from which rock or minerals are extracted. Quarries are generally used for extracting building materials, such as dimension stone, construction aggregate, riprap, sand, and gravel. They are often collocated with concrete and asphalt plants due to the requirement...
or brick–making factory to help their families get by. The film captures the hard work the children are required to perform and also takes a peek into the poor five–grade school that represents Punam's symbol of hope. She believes that education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
ushers in progress and is the only opportunity for improving their situation – perhaps bringing about new job opportunities in better conditions. We look at the situation through the eyes of this young Asian girl, who dreams of becoming a teacher and helping other children in situations like hers.
Activism
Through their films, Lucian and Natasa Muntean are trying to present the stories of the characters in such a way that the audience emotionally bonds with them, which will raise their awareness and hopefully inspire reaction that will turn into their action regarding the problem they have seen.The PUNAM FUND, a non-profit organisation, founded by Lucian and Natasa Muntean, was established in September 2007 as a result of the enormous positive feedback regarding the documentary film Punam, which inspired people from all over the world to help the children presented in the film. The PUNAM FUND is dedicated to the elimination of and fight against child labour. For the time being, the activities of the PUNAM FUND are aimed at the children featured in the films Punam and Journey of a Red Fridge
Journey of a Red Fridge
Journey of a Red Fridge is a 2007 documentary film about 17-year-old porter Hari Rai working in the Himalayan Mountains of Nepal. It was directed by Lucian and Natasa Muntean , a Serbian independent documentary production duo specializing in telling the stories of working children...
. Its main goal is to reduce the number of illiterate working children by providing scholarships for the children who work in stone quarries
Quarry
A quarry is a type of open-pit mine from which rock or minerals are extracted. Quarries are generally used for extracting building materials, such as dimension stone, construction aggregate, riprap, sand, and gravel. They are often collocated with concrete and asphalt plants due to the requirement...
, brick kilns and carpet factories in the Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur , also Bhadgaon or Khwopa is an ancient Newar town in the east corner of the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. It is located in Bhaktapur District in the Bagmati Zone...
region and for child porters
Porter (carrier)
A porter, also called a bearer, is a person who shifts objects for others.-Historical meaning:Human adaptability and flexibility early led to the use of humans for shifting gear...
working in Himalayan Mountains of Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
.
Alternate Titles
- Große Schwester Punam (GermanyGermanyGermany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, AustriaAustriaAustria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
& SwitzerlandSwitzerlandSwitzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
TV title; ZDF 3sat3sat3sat is the name of a public, advertising-free, television network in Central Europe. The programming is in German and is broadcast primarily within Germany, Austria and Switzerland .3sat was established for cultural...
) - Dotknij życia - Punam (PolandPolandPoland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
TV title; TVPTelewizja PolskaTelewizja Polska Spółka Akcyjna is Poland's public broadcasting corporation...
) - Punam - tyttö ilman lapsuutta (FinlandFinlandFinland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
TV title; YLE) - Punam fra Nepal (DenmarkDenmarkDenmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
TV title; DR)
Exhibition & Awards
Punam premiered at the 2006 One World Film FestivalOne World Film Festival
One World is the biggest human rights film festival in the world, held annually in Prague and other cities of the Czech Republic. Established in 1999 by the Czech NGO People in Need, the presents over 100 documentary films during nine days in Spring from around the world...
, Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
, Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
. Since then, Punam has been screened at more than 50 international festivals and received 8 awards, one of them the UNICEF Award for Children Rights.
In 2006, Punam was voted the most popular film among teachers in the Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
. Punam was offered, for educational purposes, to more than 250 primary and secondary schools. About 10,000 children had the opportunity to view the documentary film Punam and debate on child labour issues. What is more, Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch is an international non-governmental organization that conducts research and advocacy on human rights. Its headquarters are in New York City and it has offices in Berlin, Beirut, Brussels, Chicago, Geneva, Johannesburg, London, Los Angeles, Moscow, Paris, San Francisco, Tokyo,...
included it into its High School Program in the USA.
On 10 December 2006, on the occasion of the International Human Rights Day, Punam was screened at the UN Headquarters in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
Punam was released on DVD in March 2009.
Sequel
In March 2009, Lucian and Natasa Muntean (Lunam DocsLunam Docs
Lunam Docs is an independent documentary film production duo - Lucian and Natasa Muntean - dedicated to documentary filmmaking on human rights and social justice, around the world, with special attention paid to children rights and child labour.Through their films, Lunam Docs is trying to present...
) returned to Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur , also Bhadgaon or Khwopa is an ancient Newar town in the east corner of the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. It is located in Bhaktapur District in the Bagmati Zone...
, Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
for the shooting of Punam sequel. This documentary was produced in association with The Global Fund for Children
The Global Fund for Children
The mission of The Global Fund for Children is to advance the dignity of children and youth around the world. GFC pursues its mission by making small grants to innovative community-based organizations working with some of the world’s most vulnerable children and youth, complemented by a dynamic...
.