FILM: Nepal to debut at Cannes Film Festival

The Kathmandu-based Nepali film industry, also known as Kollywood, might be an unheard name in the international film fraternity.  But “Himalaya,” a Nepali movie in collaboration with France, brought Nepal’s movie industry into the limelight by entering the best foreign language film category at Academy Awards in 2000.

After almost a decade, Nepal is now making its debut at the Cannes International Film Festival starting May 13.  Two Nepali movies, “Chaukath (Threshold)” and “Awaken Eyes,” will give the international audience a taste of Nepali culture.

Both the movies will be screened in the non-competitive category in the short film section.

Deepak Rauniyar’s 30-minute film “Chaukath” won the third place in the international film category at the 2008 Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival.

From KIMFF:

This 30 minutes film was a delight visually and intellectually. This story looks at both traditional and modern lifestyles and their interaction in Nepal, here in the Terai. It is an honest film, inspiring in its aims and we felt that this film can be seen as the voice of a new age fiction cinema that has vigour and will be heard very successfully in the years to come.

From the Hindustan Times:

Chaukath revolves around two women from different backgrounds - a divorcee from the hills and a timid housewife who is not even called by her name but is known by the name of the village she hails from.

The film raises questions about the restoration of democracy in Nepal when women are still destined to live as the second sex.

“Awaken Eyes,” is a 29-minute feature directed by Binod Paudel.

From Republica:

“Awaken Eyes” is a story about a poor newlywed couple who have a hard time consummating their marriage, as they share a room with the groom’s sick mother. Unable to resist temptation, they finally make love, dismissing the mother´s presence.

Post your comments below.