Kiran Deol discovered the subject of her first film while studying at Harvard University.
“I learned the statistic that 40 percent of the rebel army in Nepal’s fighting forces were women,” says Deol, a 2001 graduate of Spanish River High School in Boca Raton. “That statistic had my jaw on the floor. So the idea of showcasing the story of a woman that showed women as agents of change, as opposed to victims of circumstance, was important to me and became something of a passion.”
Her 37-minute documentary short, Woman Rebel, was short-listed for an Oscar nomination this year and has just been picked up for airing on HBO. But before the rest of the country sees it, it will play twice in the Delray Beach Film Festival. 
The first screening is at 9 p.m. today at the Crest Theatre, followed by a 10 a.m. screening Sunday at the Movies of Delray.
The film is set in Nepal, where Deol spent a year in production. It looks at the Maoist rebels fighting in the recent Nepali civil war (and one rebel, code-named Silu, in particular) and their causes — their right to an education, to own property, to seek justice in domestic abuse cases, and to become equals in village governments — as well as their postwar efforts to run for public office.
Deol says she hopes to parlay the film into a series about other “women rebels” who are revolutionizing social change in their societies both at home and abroad.
She said is pleased the film will be shown so close to her hometown and hopes audiences will “be engaged by the main character’s story of struggle and triumph, and get the opportunity to step into a different part of the world for a little bit.”
‘Vices’ to return in new Caldwell season
Caldwell Theatre Company artistic director Clive Cholerton will revive one of the most talked-about shows of his first season in the 2010-11 season announced this week.
Boca Raton’s professional theater troupe kicks off Nov. 7-Dec. 12 with Vices: A Love Story, a musical with dance that had its world premiere as the first play of Caldwell’s 2009 season.
The psychological comedy and 2009 Pulitzer Prize finalist Becky Shaw is the second selection for Jan. 2-Feb. 6. The script by Gina Gionfriddo, a writer and producer for TV’s long-running Law & Order, is about “the ultimate date from hell,” or perhaps not.
The third play, set for Feb. 20-March 27, has yet to be set.
The romantic comedy In the Next Room (or the vibrator play), by Sarah Ruhl, is the fourth production, showing April 10-May 15. Catherine is the wife of a doctor who believes in modern technology in helping his female patients sexually satisfied. The only person who isn’t fulfilled is Catherine. It’s described as a play for adults with “open hearts and open minds.”
Season subscriptions range from $70 to $130 for previews and $100-$170 for regular season. Call 561-241-7432, 877-245-7432 or visit www.caldwelltheatre.com.
Academy, ballet company to pay tribute to slain girl
Jupiter Academy of Music and Florida Classical Ballet will present Shine the Light, a celebration of music and dance in memory of Makayla Joy Sitton, who was killed last Thanksgiving.
The program will take place at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 25, at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre, 1001 Indiantown Road, Jupiter. The program includes classics, hymns and inspirational tunes with accompanying ballet.
The production is presented by the Jupiter Academy of Music with participation by Florida Classical Ballet Theatre and the Young Singers of the Palm Beaches. WPTV-Channel 5 anchor Kelly Dunn will emcee.
Makayla, 6, was shot to death after Thanksgiving dinner. Her cousin, Paul Michael Merhige, is accused of killing Makayla, his twin sisters and an aunt, and wounding two others.
“In the midst of our deep grief and sadness over losing our precious daughter, we find comfort knowing that Makayla’s light shines on through her faith and her love for beautiful things like music and dance,” said Jim and Muriel Sitton. “We’re thankful that this performance will help make it possible for other children to share in the joy of the arts.”
Kretzer Pianos will provide post-performance music and the Lighthouse Center for the Arts will display work in the Maltz Jupiter Theatre lobby. Tickets are $50 VIP, $25 for center, and $12 and $15 for mezzanine. Call 800-445-1666 or visit www.jupitertheatre.org.
– Compiled by Hap Erstein and Skip Sheffield