Lakshmi is a thirteen-year-old girl who lives with her family in a small hut on a mountain in Nepal. When the Himalayan monsoons wash away all that remains of the family's crops, Lakshmi's father says she must leave home and take a job to support her family. He introduces her to a glamorous stranger who tells her she will find her a job as a maid in the city. Glad to be able to help, Lakshmi journeys to India and arrives at "Happiness House" full of hope. But she soon learns the unthinkable truth: she has been sold into prostitution...
Acting
Niyar Saikia's debut—wordless agony that guts you.
Direction
Brown never exploits what he's exposing. Restraint as weapon.
Writing
Patricia McCormick's novel adapted with poetic cruelty.
Director
Jeffrey D. Brown
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Based on Patricia McCormick's novel from interviews with real survivors in Nepal and India; the 'Whale Rider' keyword appears because both films share producer Emma Piper.
Gillian Anderson took zero salary and helped finance the film after reading the script; it's still her most overlooked performance.
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