DOCUMENTARIES AND DRAMAS—2009

19^th September 2009

Watched altogether 6 documentaries today in Kumari Cinema Hall ‘A’ and ‘B’ running on in Film South Asia 2009.

The first was “Delhi: Work in Progress” (38’) which talked about Commonwealth Games and renovation on preparation of Commonwealth Games. Delhi has construction works going on and for that they evicted the people living there. The Yamuna River was affected as a result of construction works as well. Trees were cut; 30,000 trees had already been cut for this purpose.  The city was on a way towards becoming a new New Delhi but it affected many lives for this reason. The local residents and the town planners’ arguments went on. It dealt with urbanisation or Indianization.

The other was “People’s leader—last 72 days” (25’). It was about Benazir Bhutto’s last 72 days of her life, the climax, after she returned her home country. The love and admiration of people for her, the aftermaths of her arrival, the bomb blasts were depicted in the documentary. Despite the blasts, her speeches are even more powerful. She seemed to know her fate. As she continued on her path, her life ended in 3 shorts of gun. Was taken to the hospital and was declared a martyr to which thousands of people wept and lost their consciousness. Her arrival had cheered out lakhs of people and there were festivals. People revolted as a reaction to her murder. Her sister’s and father’s speeches proved powerful in the documentary and ended with it.

“The last rites” (17’) was of Bangladeshi shipwreck and although I did not understand it properly, I think it wanted to show how hard it becomes for people there once the ship is wrecked. The big heavy parts of ship all in the muddy shore need a lot of physical effort to place it in order. The film was without a subtitle and without any voice or sound. It was limited in visual pieces. Later in the interview with the director, she said she wanted to show the toughness she saw there and wanted the audience to feel it.

“The forgotten refugees” (45’) dealt with the Bhutanese refugees in Nepal. Their reality, coming to Nepal, their lives and psychology, emotions and their destination now to the US were presented in a nice manner. The director really seems to have done a lot of research, travelling Bhutan and Nepal frequently to collect the information. She also promised to make part II after their US visit on their lives there.

“Superman of Malegaon” (79’) was a full comedy differing from rest of the shows. It was about how films are remade in Malegaon, a part of India, for the local audience there. The obstacles they come across during shooting process, how they overcome them and enjoy after its completion were the highlighted parts in the film. It was a complete entertaining film. The laughter echoing throughout the hall was evidence of it.

The last was “Threadbare” (40’) that was based on the Muslims’ hardship in the western countries (Canada). After September 11, the western eyes had completely changed regarding the Asians, particularly Muslims. For this reason, the Khans casted were tortured with the fake accusations of becoming terrorists. They even lost their education and had to return to their native Asian lands. So, the movie was heart rendering and showed the westerner’s attitudes towards Asians.

The viewers of documentary have increased now. The tickets are sold and people seem to be short of tickets and looked puzzled. The audience of documentary and theatre seem different too compared to the mainstream moviegoers. The former seem disciplined, silent and intelligent which includes foreigners as well. Moreover, people seem to expect the live interview with directors after shows are over. It is really good news for media that such audience is increasing yearly and documentaries are in demand.

22^nd September 2009

“In search of the riyal” (86’) was a film by Kesang Tseten. Because of it being the only movie by a Nepali director, the tickets were outsold. So I took a chance of watching it the next morning. It dealt with migrant workers in the Gulf countries, their hardships there, their family here and so on.

Then in the Hall B, I watched “The way of the Road” (60’) which dealt with the Nepal-Tibet road in Rasuwa district. This was the film that made me sleep. It indeed covered a good issue but maybe due to the poor presentation, I fell asleep soon.

“Children of God” (89’) dealt with Pashupati and the lives of living and dying ones there. It also dealt with the ways children in aryaghat live and earn. This is a heart touching movie, one of the best ones I watched throughout the festival.

“Forever young” (78’) was about Shillong’s Lou Majaw performing on Bob Dylan’s birthday. He admired Dylan and celebrated his birthday with different concerts and Dylan’s songs. A man of 55, Majaw seems to have an unhappy personal life but had a son and is on the road to make others happy. 

After the documentary shows, award distribution was held which was very entertaining. The documentary about shipwreck won the first award and two others received second awards whereas “Superman of Malegaon”, which was the most talked about documentary, got a debut award.

Two plays

“Bade bhai shaab” was the first drama followed by “Bimaar”. Both of them were quite comic, directed by a young lady from India, Bharatee Mukharjee. The hall was full of audience. Though booked the tickets earlier, I got the leftover seat due to my late going.

The first drama focused on two brothers. The elder one who, despite his great effort, failed exams and remained on the same grade for years and the younger one who passed exams despite his less effort. This is the main subject and the play revolves around it. The superior attitude of elder brother and his suppressions were nicely presented. Playing the kites and the game “kabardi” appear many times in the play. At the end, the elder brother expresses his emotions and gives up reading. Both of them enjoy playing at the end.

The next play “Bimaar” revolves around an ill person who 

had fever, coughs and sneezes. He is suggested by his various companions, one at a time, about the do’s and don’ts which differ greatly from one another. It is at this time the play takes a rather comic turn when he states he will get mad if any other person comes. Then comes his new neighbour who is the scapegoat. All of his anguishes and confusions are poured over the pitiable neighbour. It’s indeed a farcical play. An artistic and humorous depiction on what happens when a man believes everyone and tries to please all can be seen here.

FROM THE OLD PAGES

2061-5-19; 10 p.m.

Pulchowk

WHERE ARE WE HEADING?

Peace, peace, peace, and peace. The most common word these days. Even the baby is familiar with this word. But where is the peace? Why are we talking so much about it? Are we doing a right thing making it a great issue? It has been months we are discussing on this topic; but at last, did we reach anywhere? The problem is as it is and we are still in the same place right from where we had begun.

Get up in the morning; and with the sip of tea, go through the pages of newspaper. The headline provides you the clear-cut themes on ‘peace’. Leave the papers, tune in the radio and FM. The news continues its endless journey on peace. “Leave it” you say again and divert yourself to the idiot box hoping to get some relief by the healthy mind-developing information or entertainment. Suddenly, you switch it off becoming restless on hearing and watching all the peace stuffs when the channels are changed.

This is too much!! You get wild and shout at the box. Why grumble on an issue which never seems to have a solution at all? Why run after it and waste our precious time talking over it? Why make people bored again and again with the same topic when they expect something different?? There is a limitation to everything. Why not understand it?

These sorts of questions come in your mind and remain unanswered or let’s say you provide them your own answer. In the meantime, you search some other ways to relax yourself and plan of outgoing and roaming around. It leaves you in complete amazement when you find almost everyone you pass across expressing the same longing for peace through their faces.

Oh my god!! What is happening to everyone? Everybody look depressed and frustrated. Are all Nepalese psychologically ill? Why are they so quiet and still? Emotionless? Because of this, the path through which a Nepali walks is unclear. The decisions he takes are illogical and he keeps doing erratic tasks. His logic is unable to guide him the right way. If this continues, he may soon lack rational thinking. Isn’t it dreadful to imagine of a human being turning into an animals’ level? Is this temporary? What if it’s permanent? What are present youths to understand from this situation? How are we to guide our children along the path of bright future? And how could we expect from them in the future when we can’t fulfil their expectations at present?

The questions pile up one after another and there are heaps of it. But who is there to answer? No one. They just ring in our head, make us puzzled and confused leaving our mind vacant and completely blank. So there lies the question-WHERE ARE WE HEADING? A Nepali seeks an answer. Provided sooner, the better. Until then, I request all—let’s seek peace within ourselves; at least, let’s try to remain healthy and calm.

15th February, 2005
SUFFERING FROM LONELINESS

These days what I find common in most people is, a feeling of loneliness. Each of them needs accompaniment but no one has time to spare. As a result, people are suffering from psychological problems.

Really speaking, psychological problems are being outnumbered these days. The growth rate is rapid. Very soon, most likely there will be thousands of patients requiring counselling. And look at the future of the nation. What will happen to her if the citizens are unable to perform daily tasks or have decreased efficiency because of psychological hazards?

Now, let’s move to the next question- Why does it occur? Life is a challenge, a struggle. We need to earn name and fame while we are alive because that is what makes our life worth living. So to move ahead for it, one needs to be skill-oriented and efficient in today’s competitive world. We need to develop sufficient qualities within ourselves so that we are capable of facing anything unpredicted happening to us tomorrow.

Talking about our country in this context, it is very true that we are becoming machine-like in nature. We hardly have time for others. We have time for our job, our career but neither for ourselves nor others. In reality, we don’t actually know where we are heading; but, we claim we do. We eat in a hurry; sleep less because we don’t have time for such nor to care for our health. We need 8 hours’ sleep for a sound health, and a healthy diet is a must. But….who cares?? Look at the knowledge we get by being educated well enough.

We love junk foods. Chocolates, ice-creams, chips are our favourite. Deep-fried potatoes, vegetables, meat, and other stuffs are our daily dishes. We eat so much carbohydrate that we fill out stomach leaving no space for vitamins, minerals, proteins, and irons. Salad is just a waste of money. We leave them in a plate as a waste on gatherings, parties, and so on regarding it as etiquette and that we will be levelled high class by doing so. Is there any other a fool greater than that? I guess not. Also, we have no place for fruits. It is unaffordable. We can buy a ticket, of course, maybe of Rs. 2000/- or more for a 1-day discotheque. We can spend for cards and gifts for hundreds of rupees and present them for just no occasions. We can do that. And moreover, when it comes to marriage ceremonies, oh my god, look at the expenses!! Ask yourself how much would you spend for a marriage party- 4,5,6,7 thousand? How much? When we accept the invitation, we ask ourselves if we are ready for it. Do we have a suit or a sari? Embroidered one? Then shoes? Probably the heeled ones, then hairstyle and makeup for ladies. These preparations seem more than for a bride. So much is spent on this single day which could have become useful in many ways. We beautify ourselves more than the bride and the groom. And the gift is still left! What gift? Of course, not small ones. Those would undervalue us. There needs to be something such as vacuum cleaner, heater, fan, freeze, or…. something worth about Rs. 2000/- or more. Also, there is dowry for the expense…but let’s not digress that much.

We need time to watch TV, hear radio, hang around with friends, chat and surf, go to parties, disco etc. If we don’t do these today, we remain far behind. But what we need to remember is everything has a limit. Let’s not cross the boundary. What I am trying to say is –we waste much of our time and money over just nothing which can be cut down and made useful. Let’s sometimes take into consideration our surroundings. Let’s have some spare time for our dear ones, special ones around us, who are most of the time seeking if we have any time for them, who care so much for us. Just we lack the clear eyes to see. They deserve our love and time. Let them not hire social workers to listen and share their thoughts and feelings (like the Westerners). We can manage everything if we have a will. Let’s not be the sole cause of a social and psychological disaster. Let’s share their worries and also share ourselves with them. Let’s make a bond full of love and strengthen it further that makes us live longer, happier, and healthier for times to come. Hurry up!! Who knows, there might be no tomorrow.