| Username |
Post |
| ashu |
Posted
on 25-Sep-03 09:30 AM
Film South Asia '03: Festival of South Asian Documentaries kicked off this afternoon in Kathmandu.
Mahesh Bhatt, the noted Bollywood director and father of Pooja Bhatt, gave the keynote speech. Clad in jeans and a loose shirt, Bhatt said that while people like him substitute illusions for reality and use sex, violence, dance and masala to entertain the masses, documenatry film-makers deal with reality as it is and force people to be
honest about issues.
Mark Tully, the famous BBC journalist (whose latest book "India in slow motion" is a must read!) was also there as a a member of the judging panel.
The opening documentary "History is for Winners" (52 mins), directed by Pranay
Limbu was stunningly good and poignant. I was really impressed with Pranay's work,
and would recommend all to not miss this film.
The film profiles two singers: Kuber Rai (Ilam zilla) and Dhiraj Rai (Khotang zilla).
Despite winning national awards and showing much promise in the mid-'90s, Kuber
fails to launch and relaunch his musical career in Kathmandu and ends up as a farmer back in his village.
Dhiraj, meantime, by his own admission, struggles for 12 years before hitting it big as a pop star in Nepal who is not shy to use media to promote himself. His easy-going manner, his rock-star charisma, his 'lollypop' songs and his wanting to be the Michael Jackson of Nepal -- all make him entirely comfortable to be what he is today.
In passing, the film documents the gritty side of Nepali music industry, and shows that talent alone is not enough to be a successful musician in Nepal today.
******
Dhiraj Rai was in the audience this afternoon and afterward, like a true salesman that he is, he was shaking hands and signing autographs.
*****
Our good old CK Lal dai was also in the audience. He mentioned that he did read my recent Sajha postings in which I had criticized his use of the Park Village Hotel as an example to say all was great in Nepal.
Let's just say that CK Dai did not seem exactly pleased with me (no surprise, there!).
I said to him, "Let's have a more detailed kura-kani about this later this week-end".
My point will be: As columnists we have a duty -- a moral duty -- to have our facts checked and verified before we give our opinions in public. If CK Dai disagrees with that, well, tough luck, ke garne!!
Tomorrow, "Nepal" magazine editor Shekhar Kharel's film on Abhi Subedi will be worth watching.
oohi
ashu
ktm,nepal
|
| dautari |
Posted
on 25-Sep-03 02:16 PM
Ashu dai, why are good film directors in Nepal always in the shadows?
|
| ashu |
Posted
on 27-Sep-03 10:29 AM
Dautari,
I do not know the exact answer to your good question.
BTW, are you PG in NYC?
But in recent days, I've had conversations with Navin Subba, Tsering Ritar Sherpa and Deependra Gauchan (before he left for a long-term stint in Cambodia), and they all pretty much said that the only way ahead -- for them, anyway -- is to keep on doing/directing and producing the kind of work they want to do, and not worry
too much about being in the shadows and all that.
That, to me, sounds like a sensible approach to film-making.
Still, we need more people to champion Nepali film-making.
*******
That said, in this year's Film South Asia Festival, Nepali documentaies are doing quite well.
Pranay Limbu's debut documentary "History for Winners" again packed the hall today, with many people sitting on the aisles and staircases to see it.
The tickets for Shekhar Kharel's Nepali-language documentary "Kathmandu Odyssey" ko second screening for tomorrow (Sunday) have all been sold out.
And the tickets for Kiran Shrestha's "Bheda ko oon jasto" -- to be shown at Jai Nepal Cinema tomorrow Sunday -- too have all been sold out.
Very impressive, really.
There is this real hunger for good Nepali documentaries and films.
And obviously really, talented young Nepali film-makers (even if they are documentary film-makers for now) are coming up, and I see that as a positive sign.
oohi
"spent the whole day watching documentaries at the Festival!"
ashu
ktm,nepal
|
| najar |
Posted
on 29-Sep-03 08:22 AM
Was able to make to the two of the documentaries at the South Asian Film Festival. The first one i watched by an Indian director on dalits and oppressed peopal in India was alright. But truly enjoyed yesterday's one, Bhenda ko oon jasto--search of a song (53'). The documentary was screened at teh Jai Nepal hall house full, not precise b/c don't know what the term is for more than houseful. The film could not be started on time for the organizers had to arrange the seating for people at teh available "sindhis" (steps).
The documentary was based on a quest of a song tune trip complemented by naturally flowing and funny conversation the trio protagonists carry out through out the documentary. A group of three, journalist Narayan Wagle, singer from Nepathya Amrit Gurung and musician Daniel Karthak. Esp Daniel Karthak was hilarious throughout
Few recollections.....................
Narayan Wagle running late almost missing a bus, says while catching his breath--"kyaa kahani chha, ma pachhi bhanchhu hai "
A bus full of people on the roof and kochakoch inside gives some problem to the tyre. One of the trio asks--"Guruji, ke bhayo?"
The drive, fixing teh tyre--" something (forgot) loose bhayo, passenger kaum bhayo jasto chha"
The bus dragging at teh height of a bending narrow road by the river makes one's pulse skip a beat!
One of the teenager on the bus to Amrit Gurung says--"You are Amrit Gurung" He tries to deny but does not work. and finally he admits and all sing the song--Resham!!
Daniel keeps on saying " where the hell are you going bhanya?" he was dragged to the trip, and he does not look at the file he was given until they get to the hotel and after knowing he says with a gesture to himself--"iish, dumb?!!, agi nai herya bhae ta thha hunthhyo ni"
Amrit and Narayan further tease him--"Daniel dai, haami ke garna aa rey?" and picking on him does not stop
"Daniel dai, kasto chha?"
"Kasto hunu, ek daum raamro ni" --"I know why you guys brought me here, to pick on me."
Aafu haru lai thhakai laagyo bhane, daniel dai thhakai laagyo? bhanne"
aafu haru pachhadi parey--danu dai ali bistaarai hidnus na bhanne!
aafu haru agaadi parey--ali chhitto hidnus na danu dai bhanne!"
aadi iityaadi!
and the route they trekked along was simply marvellous with lataramma flourished laligurans. At one time Daniel says--
"Haami yehi laligurans tipna aa ho? "
Narayan Wagle amid the trek up in teh snowy mountains, munching daalmot chiura says--"hoina yaar, yaha ta daal mot chiura pani kasto meethho bhaa, kathmandu maa bhaidyaa bhae chicken sizzler ra pizza chahinthhyo"
Daniel truly had a difficulty trekking further up at one point and returns down, while the duo continues.
The journey starts at a gongabu bus park and ends with an exploration
of several tunes at different villages up in gosainkunda area of a song--bhenda ko uun jasto!
The lyrics of the song goes
Aakasha baata ke jharyo hera bhenda ko uun jasto
maya ko photo ma khichi laanchhu purne ko juun jasto
sung in different tunes and rhythms in different villages.
The blending of all they explored with music and "shick" "shick" a local group at one village use, the pattern that Amrit gurung thought would add a true flavour, sounds very melodious.
Narayan entertaining the qu at the end says his reason for being late was just a traffic jam.
They said the CD should be out after Tihar.
Director Kiran Kumar Shrestha took home a special mention award for his documentary, the only nepali documentary that won an award.
The folk songs, sherpa dance, conversations with gothhalas, young villagers, and the beautiful trek gives a vibe of quientessential local life! The director said--only camera has been used to make this documentary.
Speaking at teh end of the documentary he further said-- if i can inspire even a single person to make a documentary that would be an achievement to me.
Overall, enjoyed the documentary and look forward to listening the CD whenever it comes out.
For those who saw it, feel free to edit/add.............
|
| dautari |
Posted
on 29-Sep-03 08:41 AM
Ashu dai,
I am not PG from NYC. I am PT from your brother Anand's batch. Ask him about me - with my nickname - and he will tell you who I am. Yes, you know me. To give you a hint: once you asked me to provide you with some Bachchu Kailash songs but later I could not because the CD was missing and we could not find it.
The film festival sounds very interesting. I am so sorry that I am not in KTM and cannot make it to the screenings. I hope we have similar Nepali film festivals in Amrika as well - good documentaries and films like mukundo and numafung (I would not mind watching these films all over again.
|
| isolated freak |
Posted
on 29-Sep-03 08:44 AM
nice review, najar ji.
|
