‘Kemra’ is a long, wonderful look into the life of a village in Ladakh, and the manner in which a sense of community operates within it. The same is presented to us by way of Neha, a girl from the city, or as the locals call it, from “down”, who has ended up living at the house of a villager, due to an unexpected alignment of the different variables of her trip. She is a documentary filmmaker who spends her time interacting and interviewing those around her. Consequently, our introduction to this close-knit community is executed through the many interactions she has with it. 

 From kind Tashi to endearing Chosla to apple-cheeked Rabsal, in this docufiction, we meet the perfect microcosms of a society those outside it might not be aware of. This is a small pocket of the world where people take care of each other, the children and the elderly alike. They have adapted to the life of a cold desert and the many challenges it presents in the form of harsh winters, lack of water, along with the geographical remoteness of the area. 

At the heart of the narrative, however, lies an unexpected incident of a potential theft and the many ways it can affect the relationship of the affectionate, well-meaning villagers with tourists in general, and Neha in particular. While completing a journey that explores all of these points, the plot also presents a comment on the several ways life in the city differs from that in a rural pocket of Ladakh. It also objectively offers differing views on how progress and development might be changing the region as it once was. 

The final result puts forth a sincere, meticulous delineation of the village and its people. While the narrative can gain from a little more tightness, it still remains engaging and heartwarming throughout, presenting a balanced, complete picture of Ladakh for anyone who might be looking to interact with its life and times, as well as a lovely story that is sure to keep you entertained all along.

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