The story of young Sijou unfolds in a quiet village in northeastern India, where he lives with his father. His peaceful life is turned upside down when he becomes a victim of a brutal feudal system — an experience that ultimately sets him on the path to becoming a monk. Director Vishal Chaliha was inspired to make Sijou after being invited to create a film about feudal land ownership, a system that existed in Bhutan until 1958. His research revealed that similar practices had also impacted communities in India's Assam region – his own birthplace. With this film, Chaliha challenges the rise of extreme nationalism and reminds us that our shared humanity must rise above artificial borders. Sijou has received acclaim at multiple film festivals and won four awards at the Golden Sparrow International Film Festival in 2021.

The Partner of the Film: The Embassy of India in Bratislava.