With the common belief that film as a medium of progressive positive change can only be attained through the widespread understanding of the medium as an art-form and the willingness to create forms within films that analyze and discourse. Documentary Open Skool as an open networking platform of amateur and aspiring filmmakers has been working in Nepal since 2008.
welcome Guest @ docskool.org |
2010-07-30 | Docskool Film Centre, Next to Vice prez residence at Gaurighat, ph: 4471104
DocSkool Summer Screenings Ends.There will be no Friday film show till further notice. We will update our new Screening Schedule very Soon.
Very recently, on one of those regular sittings with kalo chiya and film guff, all talks seemed to be geared towards a realization that Nepal has no independent film scene ! Some forty eight hours away from the Hollywood capital and for folks like us, still some three days away from Mumbai, Nepal is on a "trying to fit in" drive completely saturating itself with mainstream film forms thus closing all doors for any originality in cinema of Nepal.
Talking of independent film forms, independent cinema post WW2 made its way as a reaction to heavy influxes of dominant film structures oozing from Hollywood and rapidly smothering world cinema (and this was old news). So the Italians, the French and the rest of the world woke up, made their films with different structures and this contributed towards a changed perspective on films, with a large impact even in the US.
But still, in these awakenings happening virtually on a global scale, an independent cinema or more the idea of films with different forms were explored in reaction to the Hollywood's rule over world screens that constantly produced films that limited the audience's reaction to reality, and also, stifling the local cine-industries. The “kalo chhayan” of the Hollywood genres and its realization were important trigger factors here. This lead to some absolutely nonsense and some amazing films working out of the hands of normal people- normal- because they were not obliged to the corporate hooo-haaa of Hollywood state of mind!
But when did any of that happen in Nepal? Nepal's film scene has never been completely taken over by foreign films alone. Even today, when foreign distributors have taken over majority of Nepal's screen shares, Rajesh Hamal does manage to secure his presence on the small yet scattered screens in almost every small town in the country. For me, it is those screens that are important.
So now getting back to the main topic; “Why does Nepal not have an independent film scene?” I have some answers to that (answers.com):
1.Cinema in Nepal realized itself only as a commercial asset, completely forgetting the fact that film before having a market, is conceived out of a vision, and that vision has more to do with his/her expression which is based on a personal statement leading towards film as an art-form.
2.Cinema in Nepal has always been a game played by the bourgeoisie claiming it a medium of the oppressed; thus creating double tags. The ones who have actually worked here are from classes that represent change but are working with folks that resent any change. The resentment is there because these investors have found a stable form of profit from the structures.
3.The structures have been taken as a form of formula, a convention expecting a fixed return. It is like opening a bank account- you open a 35,000 account and get constant 5% interest. Noooooo that’s unfair! cinema is no asset, at least not one with fixed returns based on exchanges of conventions.
4.All new filmmakers in Nepal just like the older ones have had their fair share of amusement related to the Kuch kuch hota hai, “Tushi Naa Jao” and the Rambo shootout scenes. But nowhere has the realization of the obvious need of these amusements been explored.
Yes, I figured its about time one would call in the docu filmmakers here. A fair job by all of them (including myself), I must say. But where is independence even in these structures. The fair game in our docu scene as of now has been played by either ones that realized their journalistic potential could be doubled when coupled with the hip development agendas or those from Young Asia Television needing a job once it went shut. I know I might have missed other categories but ignore my ignorance please.
So yes, the point is if documentary is a form of cinema where we talk change, or become active parties creating change- a form of revolutionary cinema, where has all the revolution from our documentary films disappeared? I question again, since when did we the kathmanduities sitting comfortably in those leather chairs and gobbling popcorns watching a girl in rukum being raped mean change? And since when did we as filmmakers become real artists if all we are looking for are social values in a film- which as we all know almost all the time leads to tears and poverty as asked by our larger stake holders from Sanepa heights.
So here’s a word of caution people: if we think Nepal cinema has paced up in a certain dimension with whatever technical revamp certain projects recently have promised, I suspect they are nothing but another round of confused state our cinema is going through. How can creating new systems of vertical integration led by a couple of corporate houses in pretty much the same way as our American and Indian friends have done and abiding with the same forms in our films mean anything at all? Or that with our creative potentials being limited by the 0.certain percent of budget thrown at our faces by a donor mean anything? Just because we upgrade our optical toys or the lcd screens with a "piano finish" doesn’t mean we are heading anywhere at all.
I know of people here that have made films with less than 20k in their pockets and that their films have died in some 10 rupay ko cd. And that, I have had similar feel watching that film as when I watched anything shot with a high caliber equipment. Cinema comes alive from personal impressions and the desire to express and no matter whether you shoot it on a mobile phone or a 2K cam.
So long as the forms we use in our films are still the same, I don’t think we are evolving. Never before in Nepal have we been ready any better than now when it comes to making films and showing it out. As a filmmaker, what matters most to me is making a film not anticipating audience reactions. I say all we need is to do is break out of decades long vaccum packed bubble of notions on cinema and run a mile that is actually real and something that leads to the true essence of our existence- where cinema comes alive - as an art. Anyone can make cinema; we just need to try and try hard that what we try is not the same as not trying at all. You can make cinema; and independence is born when its true to you.
( Kshitiz Adhiraj is the inhouse filmmaker at harke - films)
Comments
Page 1 of 1, showing 6 records out of 6 total, starting on record 1, ending on 6
For this American creative who has lived in KTM for about 9 years, some of this article was baffling while other bits rang true. I also loved some of the comments..."Lets make movie in Rs 8000 rather than organizing some shitty "can make movie..." Ha! I assume that was an attack on workshops, of which I am thinking of organizing - hence my [new] presence here/now. While I have only been on this website for about 10 minutes, I am assuming this IS a place to find workshops and teachings on filmmaking. So far I have not found that info, but I am still digging...
@ Kshitiz: I think it would be helpful to make your points a bit more clear. For example (and this may be the English Teacher in me speaking), I don’t see clear answers to the question “Why does Nepal not have an independent film scene?” But perhaps that’s what you get when you ask such a fuzzy question. Just what is an independent film scene? I’ve met many independent filmmakers, from wannabe-in-the-scene people to serious artists, and no matter where you go, it’s usually the same scene: emerging. Emergent filmmaking is always ongoing, so by definition, if people outside of corporations are using cameras to record life and liberty (or lack thereof), then there is an independent film scene. How well organized or networked or disjointed or immature (from a growth perspective) the “scene” is, IS worthy of a complete analysis. I was hoping to get that from your article...but that’s ok, I’m sure “the truth is out there” - to coin a phrase.
A Big X-Files Fan,
Jigs
Phoenix Studios Nepal
Guys express your opinions in a short,simple n meaningful format point wise,understandable even for a school kid,even he deserves 2 understand n give his opinion.. Captivating only d limited area n pouring out ur complex words will not echo what u wanted world 2 know.. Namastey
Wow! Refreshing article! Its great to see us nepalis being critical and definitely, critical eyes in the nepali cinema has remained a mirage.
Well its true that nepali cinema has tons of opportunity to be more creative but we have given up to the mainstream conventional ways of what bollywood does. True, no one really gives a rats ass about what nepali cinema will end up looking like, but I suppose we can atleast think about it now. Nepali film scene is peculiar—even the directors directing it wouldn’t want to associate themselves with the films they make. Its true- there’s an idea of a film and then there’s a production of a film that sells! The idea however seizes to become that idea of art or expression or impression, but the idea is dominated by the idea of market! True- very true.
And to mr. shrek, I think you might have mis read the article a little- the writer does not belittle the film that transcribed into a 10 rupay ko cd, what he seems to be saying is that even those seemingly high tech modernly equipped films are worth no more really than that or even less.. its more of an idea to make films that should perhaps reach and be multiplied in 10 rupay ko cd. The content is what makes a film, the liveliness, the impressions and expressions that constitute a film. It is the structure that needs to be broken out of. Indie films that we rave about for their parochialness, are in fact just stooges of big companies. Miramax and so on cozily nestled below the HOLLYWOOD hill in LA. Its an irony- alternative is not the mainstream! Mainstream is alternative now! (look at all the girls wearing all hippie clothes in bollywood films out of all places!!) Indie films is not indie anymore, but that’s the convention now. The world is warped you see. The world is always trying to catch up and the catching up that we ultimately end up doing are within the structures.
We nepalis, we are so used to thinking in hierarchical terms, in memorizing our exams, in doing our homeworks the ways our teachers always wanted--- we still have issue when someone’s trying to think out of the box! And we try avoiding it claming ourselves as simple being wanting simplicity in life!! Its about time we LEFT our simpleness and started critical thinking!
So I am glad some people in Nepal are trying to break out of such structures! Great job, docskool. You guys will take nepali film to a new height! All the best.
i remember you; you must be the one who made Being Me wasnt it. Man why is that i always see you here talking bakwash. Stop bhadkaoing of our simple bhejas man. So what if i get my hands on a cam and make a film who assures that i get on the screen, it will still land on that "10 rupee cd" as u would call it.
I dont see it moving, just with my realisation of film as an art i dont think nepal's cinema is going to turn independent or whatever. As a matter of fact tell you what i dont see people making films here. Thats possibly a point where u aint wrong. But i dont see heavy points in ur discussions man.
What happened to what the govt. should do or what even these corporate houses themselves can try or schools or the viewers?????? without all these happeinng all u would lead to is where u stand right now- so i dont see a point here.
Nice try here but i must say u still aint appealing enough. try harder ya.
I don't know why he has written this .World Cinema has already reached a distance that we can't see even with the strongest telescope made by some so called film skool. Today to bring a new wave in Nepal, we should be united to make films not a workshop that can not be afforded. Lets make movie in Rs 8000 rather than organising some shitty "can make movie..."
we need Cahiers du cinema ...not a money making organization who can join only with money. Lets discuss how we can make close to us film in small budget or no (Nolan made FOLLOWING, French new wave directors used shopping carts as dolly)
So we can make film, so lets unite to make movie. Do you think some so called changing movies made, Mero Euta Sathi Cha, Sano sansar , can bring new wave. We need a story that has emerged from our society, we need a milieu in our film. So lets bring new wave...
You think i am some shit typing this.I am some confused ,some how got interested in filmmaking, who has done no thing writing some craps in papers and don't know how I will make this into film. Peeping movies in dark room.
It is a call . Lets unite. We have passion for cinema , lets make it not BULLSHIT
K (Sanjay )
sanjaychaulagain206@hotmail.com
hey kool article, i am what i am an what creates a society of my being, my state, my freedom, my feeling etc. .i am glad that i can make a CINEMA .......
All the best for harke
welcome Guest @ docskool.org |
the blogs
you are viewing the section: Nepal Cinema
Comments
Page 1 of 1, showing 6 records out of 6 total, starting on record 1, ending on 6