Documentary on Bhutanese Kiwis

Bhutanese in New Zealand from around the country are collaborating to write, produce and star in a new documentary titled ‘Knock’ that will narrate issues facing their community. Isolation, mental health and culture clash are core themes of the documentary.

“It’s going to give a message to our society,” said Bhoj Subba, chair of Nelson’s Bhutanese Society was quoted by local media. “Where we are, who we are and where we are going.”

He mentioned the high-profile case of Bir Bahadur Poudel​, whose body was found months after he disappeared from home in 2020.

Exiled Bhutanese began arriving in New Zealand in 2007 under third-country resettlement programme.

‘Knock’ was the result of several months of hard work by dedicated members of the community. The actors had practised remotely and then come together with the technical team in Christchurch for filming.

The film, which is in Nepali with English subtitles, is in its final stages of production. The community planned to release a trailer ahead of screenings at yet-to-be-confirmed locations in Palmerston North, Nelson and Christchurch.