Kalo Pothi movie to release in Nepal on Jestha 21

May 10, 2016: Kalo Pothi, the movie which got selected in many film festivals around the world including Venice, Busan, Singapore, Tokyo etc, is going to be released in Nepal on Jestha 21 (June 3, 2016). Although the Nepalese German Swiss French co-production earned some recognition including best film at Venice Film festival, it deserves much more. The home screening will reveal if the worldwide recognition is worthy and the native story lives up to the expectation of the people inside the country. The movie is rated as 7.2 with 54 ratings in IMDB. Kalo Pothi ( The black hen) is the most awaited movie here in Nepal from last year and is directed/written by Min Bahadur Bham: the movie shows the adventure of two boys and their hen intertwined with those of the community in a small remote village (in Karnali region) when the war between Government army and Maoists Guerrilla was actually happening (during late 90's). The boys (from different community) go through series of incident in such conflict era, which also tells how unity is possible with diversity. The movie is produced together by Tsering Rhitar Sherpa (Mila Productions) and Debaki Rai (Shooney Films). 

Announcing the screening date in Nepal, they have even released a song by Anni Choying Dolma and music by Jason Kunwar. Though I could not understand the words (seems like Tibetan chanting), the song is melodious and will definitely raise the movies anticipation. Major Actors of the move include Khadka Raj Nepali, Sukra Raj Rokaya, Jit Bahadur Malla, Hansha Khadka, Benisha Hamal. The final trailer is also known to launch soon and the movie will be distributed in Nepal by pop corn pictures. The first trailer already gave me goosebumps and I expect the same with the movie. Eagerly Waiting with lots of expectation.

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Kalo Pothi wins Best film at Venice film festival

Sep 11, 2015: Kalo Pothi: a Nepali movie is creating big bang at the international movie arena by being selected for many film festivals, including Venice Film festival, Busan film festival. It was in news that the movie is also getting positive response from the reviewers in such festivals. The movie is now known to have got the Best film award in Venice film festival critics week, Italy. Min Bahadur Bham, the writer/ director of the movie has shared the news in his Facebook with the picture of the award certificate. 

As known from the synopsis, the movie shows the adventure of two boys and their hen intertwined with those of the community in a small remote village (in Karnali region) when the war between Government army and Maoists Guerrilla was actually happening (during late 90's). The boys (from different community) go through series of incident in such conflict era, which also tells how unity is possible with diversity. The movie is produced together by Tsering Rhitar Sherpa (Mila Productions) and Debaki Rai (Shooney Films). The release date of the movie inside the country is still not known, but the movie as expected will surely travel around the world with some more awards to bag.

This is a great achievement for our country and all the film makers here. In this glorious moment, I would like to congratulate the team in making such a wonderful movie which is successful in grabbing awards in international arena. Really a proud moment for all Nepali movie fans.

After getting the award, the director dedicates the award to his beautiful country, fellow Nepalese (including all film makers in Nepal).

The teaser of the movie gives you goosebumps for the scenario back in the insurgency period when the news in radio had only the killings by State and Rebels. 

Here is the teaser of the movie in Youtube.

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Kabaddi Kabaddi first look and teaser out.

August 31, 2015: It was in news that the sequel to the well appraised movie of the year 2071, Kabaddi was under production six months before. Now it seems that they are near to the completion as the first teaser (both video and first look) are out today. The movie sequel, named Kabaddi Kabaddi, includes almost all of the actors/characters (including Dayahang Rai, Rishma Gurung, Buddhi Tamang, Bijay Baral) while Nischal Basnet seems to be there behind the scene only and Saugat Malla is the new hindrance for Kaji to get Soltini.

Apart from the funny dialogues and lively sequences, the movie is expected to have some politics play in it with not so dumb Kaji, unlike in the first part. Maya- the Soltini is still not convinced for the love that Kaji has offered but he has not given up to follow his dreams and so here is the first powerful dialogue from the movie. "Money attracts money, Love attracts love, tyo man le yo mon ko kura ekdin kaso nabujhla". 

The movie directed by Ram Babu Gurung is known to release this winter with the trailer meetup on Ashoj 4. Music of the movie is done by Kali Prasad Baskota (the maker of Jaalma from Resham filili). More details and preview when the trailer gets released. 

Here is the first teaser of the movie Kabaddi Kabaddi in Youtube.

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Woda number cha trailer out.

July 25: 2015: From the makers of "Cha Ekan Cha", comes a new comedy movie called "Woda number cha". Previously it was told to be the sequel of their first venture, the blockbuster Cha ekan Cha which now turns out be just a rumor as Deepak Raj Giri cleared out that it has nothing to do with Cha ekan cha other the team behind it (producer, writer and most of the actors). The story/dialogue of the movie is known to be written by Deepak Raj Giri who is also the one of the actor and producer. Script of the movie is written by Abhimanyu Nirabi (Antaral, Shree Pach Ambare) and Ujjwal Ghimire is the director of the movie. The movie stars Deepak Raj Giri, Priyanka Karki, Jitu Nepal, Kedar Ghimire (Magne Buda), Sitaram Kattel (Dhurmus), Dayahang Rai, Wilson Bikram Rai, Shivahari Poudel and is also known to have cameo from Deepa Shri Niraula including some other well known actors. Music of the movie is directed by Sugam Pokharel, Rajan Raj Shiwakoti, Basant Sapkota. The movie is also made collectively with investment from Jitu Nepal, Kedar Ghimire, Sitaram Kattel along with Dipak Raj Giri, Deepa Shree Niraula and Nirmal Sharma (Gaida). If you find such famous comedy actors in the movie, it is gonna be one hell of a comedy (that is surely a blockbuster by business no matter how the movie be) but I expect it to be more realistic and with cinematic values than the former.

The movie team has released a song called "Wahiyat Love story" sung by Sugam Pokharel and Preeti Kaur, Music director: Sugam Pokharel and Lyrics: Deepak Raj Giri. The song is getting more popular in the Nepalese Televisions/radios and is equally trending in the social media (Facebook, YouTube). The song release also accompanies the first teaser in both the poster and the video. The movie is scheduled to release on Ashoj 1, all over Nepal. Here is the teaser and trailer of the movie "Woda number cha" in Youtube.

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Kalo Pothi: a new nepali movie to be screened in Venice

July 24, 2015: It's been more than a year that Kalo Pothi: a new movie script won the prestigious award for the script competition by Swiss fund Vision Sud with the amount of 5.5 million, for the production of the movie. It also grabbed another remarkable fund of around 3 million from World cinema fund (that also funds Berlin International film festival). Now that the movie is completed, it is known that the movie has been selected for the 30th Venice International Film critics week, making it the first Nepalese feature ever screened in Venice. "Kalo Pothi" (Black Hen) is directed and written by Min Bahadur Bham: the movie shows the adventure of two boys and their hen intertwined with those of the community in a small remote village (in Karnali region) when the war between Government army and Maoists Guerrilla was actually happening (during late 90's). The boys (from different community) go through series of incident in such conflict era, which also tells how unity is possible with diversity. The movie is produced together by Tsering Rhitar Sherpa (Mila Productions) and Debaki Rai (Shooney Films). The movie is known to win the hearts of many, not only at Venice but also at other prestigious film festivals. It is not known when it will be released with in the country so that I can write my words on it.

Min Bahadur Bam is also the director for the short "Basulli" that was also screened in Venice film festival 2012.

Synopsis of the movie:

The so called civil war that tear apart Nepal for 10 years, from 1996 until 2006, opposing the army to Maoist revolutionaries, serves as the background for Prakash and Kiran, two boys very aware that coming from a different cast divides, but friendship and age unites. A white hen stolen from a wheat field becomes their hope. Breading it, Prakash believes to be able to gather money to at least allow Bijuli, his little sister, to study. But the hen will unexpectedly change hands and they will need wit to make her come back to its original owners.

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Sunakali and Kimff.

Dec 13, 2014: KIMFF (Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival) is one of a kind film festival happening in Kathmandu, that brings together film makers, film enthusiasts, journalists and international attention with the films that relate to mountains in many ways. The biennial festival started from the year 2000 and kept bringing out various issues like traditional culture, mountaineering,  gender equality, lifestyles, and many more. The film festival also promotes aspiring filmmakers (especially youth) to portray change in the society through audio visual means. The twelfth edition contains 70 films from 20 different countries, with range of films like documentary, fiction, experiment and animation. This years Kimff started with the premiere of much talked documentary Sunakali directed by Journalist Bhojraj Bhat. The documentary film was also screened for Saturday: the show I could attend and write this blog. Though the venue was changed from City hall to QFX Kumari due to the recent holding of SAARC summit there, the turn out was packed with the advantage of high quality screening technically.

Sunakali is a story of girls like Sunakali Buda in Mugu district who wants to play football despite the hardship of rural area (remote part of Karnali zone) and being a girl who elopes very early there. The girls aged around 14-16 ( time there to get married or elope) get selected from a pool of 30 and now goes to play a match against Humla. Mugu team looses the game and gets disheartened due to the loss but does not give up their hope to play more and later wins not only against a team from Kathmandu but the whole tournament that takes place in plain region (Kailali). During their travel, the girls take bus, plane, bike for transportation all for the first time in their life, and that could not have happened without their zeal for football.

Back home, the whole district welcomes the team in a big celebration, like more than winning the world cup tournament. People put tika, Garland, and dance in traditional music. They are even paraded around by riding through horse and boating in Rara lake. The family who felt trouble for girls leaving home for football, shared equal joy for their success afterwards. Whole district was proud of the girls. Traditional Karnali songs and Kutumba instrumental fusion is quite remarkable in the movie.

Bhojraj Bhat, Director answering public queries after the screening of Sunakali

The emotions of parents while girls leave their homes for match, snow filled playground, the joyous moment of winning the game, and the actual message is also captivating. The emotional sequences can make your eyes watery and have long lasting impact on your mind despite the technical glitches (out of focus and blurry images) that the director even nodded due to use of low resolution camera at first.

Luckily I happen to watch the movie with the director Bhojraj Bhat next by my side. He even answered my queries from the location to the technical glitches. I came to know that they started to shoot by a simple handy cam and with the documentary getting good turn, the cameras had been changed along with four cameraman. With more than 3 months of arduous shoot in the area, the team managed to shorten the 138 hours of footage (he shared they had caught all the details) to 45 minutes in 14 sittings within two years span. I would like to congratulate the director (which i even did in person) and the whole team in successfully telling such a story to Kathmandu and beyond.

Crowd for the film festival.

After Sunakali, some shorts (Manish Harayeko Suchana, Pawan, Khyar khar pankha) were also screened in the same slot that made my love for the shorts to grow more for the inspirations they have carried along and so I continued for consecutive slot too. Delhi Dreams, Kranti Jari cha, 1000 dreams, Punte ko pangro, and Butte jama were screened for the later slot that were even more interesting and powerful. My Saturday went nicely with the Kathmandu International film festival and I found shorts are more stronger than documentary or a full feature in giving a concise message and bring inspiration. What a wonderful Saturday it was!!!

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Alok Nembang is dead.... seems like a Suicide.

Whoa!!!! what a shocking news that is. Another news of suicide from the Nepali film industry. In an apparent case of suicide, famed music video and movie director Alok Nembang is found dead at his apartment, on Thursday night. According to Police, Alok is found dead in hanged condition in his own residence at Grande Villa, Tokha road. He had directed popular movies like "Sano Sansar" (starring Namrata shrestha, Karma, Vinay) and "Kohi Mero" (starring Jharana Bajracharya, Aryan Sigdel). His latest "Ajhai pani" is in the pipeline for release later this year. He had directed several music videos, some of my favorites are "Lakhau Patak (his first music video)","K ma timro sathi banna sakchu", "Kasko Ankha lagyo", "Kina Malai", "San Nani Timilai", "Sarkari Jagir", His first media career started as a VJ on Image Channel (even from Am television in NTV). He worked for numerous music videos in parallel with the television hosting. After quitting VJ's job, He started directing movies that put him to fame with his debut movie "Sano Sansar".

The reason behind the suicide is not yet known, which is a matter of investigation from Police and will be out some time later. Nepali film industry had witnessed several cases of such suicide from actors (female actors in general) and this being the latest from a prominent youth director who has much time to give us good cinemas. This is an another loss for the growing Nepali film industry. Let the departed soul rest in peace and let there be no other such bad news from our cinema industry.
I happen to meet him once during the premiere of his movie "Sano Sansar". He was so down to earth that he shared his "less wordy" thoughts and we agreed on the positive impact of this sort of movies for the future growth of Nepali film industry, even on such a short meet. In my view, Bhusan Dahal's Kagbeni and Alok's Sano Sansar had aligned the path for New Nepali movies and generated big hope for the film enthusiasts. Now that we are in a position to be proud for our movies, still we have a long way to go. Alok Nembang will definitely be missed in this mission to align more youths for our own movies.

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