MY DAYS ON KIMFF
This time I missed the first day of Kathmandu Film Festival [KIMFF] due to my sickness. But I attended remaining days. It was such a beautiful to attend the film festival. I have mentioned about the films and documentaries and how I felt. I have mentioned from day 2.
DAY 2
DECEMBER 11, 2015
FRIDAY
KUMARI HALL
The documentary which I got to watch are:
1. LAST RITES
TRIBENY RAI
5 MIN/ INDIA 2014
The story begins with the father telling his son about their dream house. They start to make their dream house. But after completion of their house, the half of the house is destroyed and the father is inquired. His son takes care of his father and reconstruct the house but unfortunately again the house is destroyed and the son losses his father. The son later destroys the house with the fire.
Although the story is simple, it's average. There are some humour. The audience didn't seem to enjoy the documentary either did I. But the best part is cinematography. The cameraman, Runal Hatimattur has done excellent job. The acting skill is OK and the direction part is OK. Tribeny Rai has done OK part. So, I could rate the documentary film 2/5.
2. KAMARO [ A SLAVE]
ARUN DEO JOSHI
23 MIN 14 SEC/ NEPAL 2015
Kamaro is a documentary about a family, who are slaves to a landlord in Sinja Valley, Karnali Region of Western Nepal. The story reveals suffering of slavery borne by protagonist "Adane" as a young child and an adult, where he has to face a similar fate even after decades.
Adane's parents are slave to a landlord and follows and obeys them. More than that, Adane's mother faced or forced into sexual slavery but Adane's father is silent about it. He never speaks about it because both husband and wife thinks that it is their duty to obey and pleased their landlord. This continues even when Adane grows up. When Adane gets married to, this continues.
The best parts are the language, actors and location. The language is a typical and gives a local flavour. The language gives a realistic feel. Not only this, the actors have done excellent job. The actors are local who have faced the camera for the first time. Their acting is natural and not overacting. The director Arun Deo Joshi has done beautiful job. Not only, director, Cameramen Narayan GC and Ramesh Parajuli have done brilliant job and have captured the beautiful scenes and locations. Furthermore, the person who played the flute for the background score is fabulous. So, I could rate the documentary 4/5.
3. TIME TO DIE
WANG TONG
28 MIN/CHINA 2015
The story begins with the former village head Old Wang who is holding his wife's funeral. But he has something else in his mind that is he wants his son to win the election as the new village head without the family having to cremate his wife's body. New government policy supports cremation instead of traditional burials. But when Old Wang and his son are trying to bury her in secret, his dead wife comes back to life. The situation gets complicated and they hide her in the guest room so that nobody can see her before the election. On the other hand, the village doubts on him and starts digging the place where they have buried her and when Old Wang knows about it, he goes there but they found the dead body. On the same day, the person comes to the house of Old Wang and asks for the forgiveness. Old Wang forgives him but was rush to send him out from the house but he sees the wife of Old Wang. What happens after this? Does his agenda become successful?
The movie had some humour and the acting of Old Wang and his son are excellent. More than that, the director has done the good job. So, I could rate the documentary 3.5/ 5.
4. YATHAWAT [AS IT IS]
TRIBENY RAI
22 MIN/INDIA 2015
Father of the house has just passed away. Mother is left with her three grown up daughters in a foreign land. While the whole family tries to get back the father's government job on grounds of compensation for the youngest daughter, they are all going through their own share of personal crisis. Just when they think that their trying days are over, fate brings them right back to where they started.
The documentary is excellent, I could say. More than that, there are so many humors. Audience will laugh while watching the documentary. The acting of all daughters are excellent. The director Tribeny Rai have done her excellent to make this documentary. So, I could rate the documentary 4/5.
DAY 3
1. WOMEN'S TEARS
KALYAN BANERJEE
13 MIN/ INDIA 2014
Rashi, a character in this documentary is killed in the womb before birth as her parents desire a son. From heaven, her beautiful soul observes her happy parents with their newborn son. She become melancholic. In heaven she meets Nirbhaya, a village girl who was brutally gang raped and murdered. They meet a lady doctor who comes to heaven after being killed by her husband as she is unable to provide a dowry. Ironically, she is the same doctor who aborted Rashi from the womb.
The film gives information how many people abort the baby girl, how many girls/women/child are raped and other causes of VAW.
The documentary could be better if the director had done effort. The director Kalyan Banerjee has just given information about VAW which are like giving news and other awareness program. So, the documentary didn't impress me. Not only this, I didn't like the cinematography. So, I could rate the documentary 1.5/5.
2. RIDERS OF THE MIST
ROOPA BARUA
65 MIN/INDIA 2015
Riders of the Mist is about the century-back bareback pony racing tradition in the state of Assam, India. The ponies are free-grazing and live in the grassland river islands of the Brahmaputra Valley. They come and participate in the annual racing event of a colonial era planters' club in Jorhat, Assam.
The documentary is a portrayal of the races as they unfold, the jockeys and their lives and these ponies that become part of the tradition every year.
Although, the documentary was good to watch, somewhere it was boring. It might be because of one hour documentary. Somewhere if the documentary had done editing and had reduce the time, the documentary could have been better. The director Roopa Barua has done good on her aspects. So, I could rate this documentary 2.5/5.
3. HOMBI, LA TETE DANS LES NUAGES [HOMBI, HIS MIND IN THE SKY]
BENOIT AYMON
26 MIN/ SWITZERLAND 2015
Mountain guide, photographer, filmmaker, Himalayan expert, skier and glacier pilot! Ruedi Homberger-Hombi said-do everything or almost. This extraordinary character who lives in the Grisons, Switzerland, is.... 75 years old! There is definitely no age to keep his child's soul.... Attention, it's contagious!
The people who love adventurous will love the documentary. Even I loved the documentary. So, I could rate the documentary 3/5.
4. K2 AND THE INVISIBLE FOOTMEN
IARA LEE
54 MIN/PAKISTAN/USA 2015
In K2 and the Invisible Footmen, filmmaker Iara Lee and her team chronicle the lives of the indigenous porters of Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan. These heroes of moutaineering make possible the ascent of K2, the second highest mountain in the world. Amid breathtaking scenery, the film depicts the courage and everyday sacrifices of these unacknowledged porters. It also provides a fresh look into Pakistan, a country typically portrayed in the foreign media as being merely a land of conflict and sectarian strife.
The cameraman Jawad Sharif has done excellent job. He has captured the scenes beautifully. Scenes and location are mind-blowing. The director is also the best part. I loved the documentary and its concept. So, I could rate the documentary 3.5/5.
5. MATTERHORN, THE DREAM OF THE BIRD-WOMAN]
RINALDO MARASCO/JEROME PIGUET
50 MIN/ SWITZERLAND 2015
Since she learned to fly, Geraldine Fasnacht wingsuit pilot, nurtures the dream to fly off the top of the Matterhorn. Technological progresses have allowed her and Julien Meyer to realize this world premiere on 7 June 2014. The film reflects the professionalism the two friends needed to perform such a feat.
Some scenes in documentary have beautiful and adventurous and flying scenes makes the audience fly with her. Furthurmore, it gives inspiration to the people to fly especially to women.
To tell the best part of the documentary are the direction and camera part. The cameraman Bertrand Delapierre has captured such beautiful scenes like when Geraldina Fasnacht flies in the Mountain is the best scene captured. Not only this, the director has also done the good job. So, I could rate the documentary 3/5.
6. SATI
BARTLOMIEJ SWIDERSKI
25 MIN/ POLAND 2013
A film reminiscence about Piotr Morawski, a conqueror of six eight-thousanders and a participant of the first in history winter expedition to Shishapangma who died in the Himalayas, on the slope of Dhaulagiri, an 8 April 2009. His story is reported by the mountaineer's wife, Olga tells that after the death of her husband, she has gone to Sati because although, she is live, she is dead with her husband.
The meetings with Olga Morawska, edited in the film, occurred over a period of a few months following her husband's death. The first interview took place just a month after the accident. After the death of Piotr Morawski, Olga wrote books on mountaineering and opened the institution on the climbing to fulfill her husband's dream.
To tell the truth, I didn't like the film as it shows the tribute to Piotr and how Olga suffered and how she felt when she didn't give her time. The director could have done or shown Piotr climbing the mountain more. So, I could rate the documentary 2.5/5.
DAY 4
13TH DECEMBER, 2015
1. TAMA GAUN [THE COPPER VILLAGE]
DIPESH KHAREL/FRODE STORAAS
For 400 years, the settlers of Okharbat Village in Western Nepal have been mining copper successfully and selling it to the local market for their survival. The mining has stopped for 30 years now in the globalization. The film tells a story of the copper miners and the village by emphazing the impact of globalization on their traditional copper industry, the breakdown of community life, and a steady cultural death.
The film follows the foreman Ujir Pun who leads us through the process from excaration to extraction, melting and preparation. As part of the social and cultural context of the process, the film also depicts village life during the autumn festival period. Tama Gaun aims to document a coherent narrative of the miners and the village and record their valuable age-old traditional knowledge of the copper mining process.
The documentary shows the reality of the Nepalese society. As due to the globalization, the copper has collapsed, it want the copper industry to be alive and want the furthur generation to continue the same line but due to its hardness, the young generation are not able to do so. More than this, the making of copper is very difficult and needs lots of people and patience.
The acting of Ujir Pun is so good and excellent. He is the hero of this documentary. In additional to this, the directors Dipesh Kharel and Frode Storaas have done excellent job for acknowledgement research about the traditional copper industry and about to settlers of Okharbat Village in Western Nepal. Not only this, the camera work is also excellent. So, I rate the film 4/5.
2. TOWARDS
SHIVA SHARAN KOIRALA
7 MINUTES/ NEPAL 2014
The documentary is about Gopal who has come of age and has to choose between convention "a giant leap" to make a living. Gopal, although, he is from high caste, he does the work of Dalit for his living.
Honestly, the documentary is not as good as excepted. It could have exaggerated more. Furthermore, the audience doesn't understand the story as the story is about to end the poverty. The documentary is 7 minutes so the movie could have been good and the theme is good which is about to end the poverty. But the time was limited and could have been better. So, I will rate the documentary 2.5/5.
3. AUTO DRIVER
MEENA LONGJAM
30 IN 31 SEC/ INDIA 2015
Auto driver is a documentary about Laibi who is a lady auto-driver based in conflict torn Imphal City. In order to support an ailing husband and educate her two sons, she took up the profession defying social norms and a traditional society, starting off as a daily wage labourer on a brick farm, where she earned only 60 rupees for loading 1,500 bricks, she now has to face the discrimination of passengers who shun lady auto-drivers.
The documentary is good to watch. The documentary is worth to watch and the director has done a great job by showing that women has do anything for her family and is a very brave human being. The director Meena Langjam has done a good job. So, I could rate the movie 3.5/5.
4. UTTORON [THE NEW DAWN]
SAIKAT MALLICK
40 MIN/BANGLADESH 2014
The subject of sexuality is still considered a taboo in South Asia. Sex education among girls and boys about to hit adolescence is rare. As a result, they grow up with skewed concepts which get reflected in risky behaviour, untimely and unsafe pregnancy, eve teasing and rape, child marriage, and child mortality. Few local NGOs have United Under Unite for Body Rights [UBR] and are working to raise awarenes about body rights among local school students in Bangladesh. The film explores the contrast between the sexual objectification prevalent in the society and the efforts of people to be aware of the importance of exercising their body rights.
The documentary is to aware the sex education and related to the people. Youth and women are taken interview to share about their views. The interview showed that still people feel shy to talk about gender and sex. Amazing, boys didn't feel shy to talk about it rather than girls. So, I could rate the documentary 2.5/ 5.
DAY 5
1. 14 DECEMBER, MONDAY
'SET SMIC SHIFT' SHORT FILM COMPETITION SCREENING OF TOP TEN SHORTS/ AWARDS
On this, 10 short films were showed. The films were 12, After the Quake, Bhoto Jatra and Earthquake, Dhartiputra, Effort, Journey to Home, Radio Melamchi 107.2, Rising from Epicentre, Sindhupalchowk Vukamap and The Experience [U ayoayo]. All the films were related to the earthquake and affects of the earthquake. Not only this, these documentaries showed how youth volunteers supported victims and how people came to normal after the earthquake. Furthermore, the documentaries showed that whether the situation has improved or not?
Among these ten documentaries, three won the documentaries which are: After the Quake [First Prize], Rising from Epicentre [2nd Prize] and Dhartiputra [3rd Prize].
2. THE INFINITE SPACE
SIDDHARTH CHAUN
25 MIN/ INDIA 2015
The Infinite Space is a film about relief and imagination and how an innocent child experiments and tests the words of an old religious scripture. A little Buddhist monk, Nawang, 12, is found standing on the top of the sacred hill during prayers, Tashi, a senior monk, notices him and becomes worried. He asks Sonam, 13, another little monk to keep an eye on him.
Nawang has dared to believe in something unusual. Sonam, his best friend, becomes helpless witness to everything Tashi seems to know something.
The film seems to be spiritual and the message is that if you have strong desire and believe, you will achieve everything. Nothing is next to impossible. To be frankly, I didn't feel the movie. Although, I like the message, I didn't like the movie. So, I could like to rate it 2.5/5.
3. EVERY TIME YOU TELL A STORY
RUCHIKA NEGI, ANIT MAHANTI
52 MIN/INDIA 2015
The title got my eyes and wanted to watch it but somehow it failed. The story is about the shawl. Tsungkotepsu is a shawl worn by men of the Ao-Naga tribe in Nagaland , Northeast India. Traditionally, it signified the achievements of warriors who had won enemy heads in war. Even though head hunting days are long gone, the Tsungkotepsu shawl is still central to the Ao-NAga imagination.
Not only this, the film gives the description of history, a way of understanding the shifts that this shawl making tradition has experienced. The documentary also shows the early, colonial anthropology, religion and assimilation within the Indian State.
After watching the documentary, I was little confused whether it was promoting Christianity or shawl. The documentary could have shown the people rather describing. The directors could have let the women speak about their experience on making shawl. Furthermore, the directors could have have made the documentary short rather than 52 minutes. So, I could rate the documentary 3/5.
4. PANAROMA
JON HERRANZ
28 MIN/ SPAIN 2015
In July 2014, Edu Marin took on the most challenging project of his life climbing "Paanroma," with his 62-year-old father, Franciso Marin "Navato." Located in the Tre Cime di Lavaredo National Park, the 500m line is graded 8C, making it one of the world's hardest big walls. In this film, father and son enter the heart of the Dolomites, taking their lives into their own hands with the hope of accomplishing an unprecedented sporting feat which will place them among living climbing legends.
The director Jon Herranz has done an excellent job by making this film. The cameramen Jon Herranz, Mac Subirana and Gerard Peris too did marvellous job. The film is very much adventurous. So, I could rate the film 4/5.
5. THE FROZEN TIMES
52 MIN/ AUSTRIA/ CANADA 2015
BRYAN SMITH, DAVID PEASEN
The Frozen Times is a story about Will Godd pushing the boundary of a sport through his imagination and dedication. The unique spray ice formation at Helmcken Falls, British Columbia, provide a stunning backdrop and ultimate challenge. Considered the hardest ice and mixed climbing in the world, the 140-metre calve is a terrifying complex of giant overhung icicles. It has become Gadd's obession and the leading edge of modern ice climbing.
To be very frankly, I love adventurous films. This film too, I loved it. The director has done a good job. After watching the movie, I even wanted to do something adventurous. So, I could rate the film 4/5.
CLOSING CEREMONY
The 13th edition of Kathmandu International Film Festival [KIMFF]concluded on December 14 at Kumari Hall, Kamal Pokhari. The five-day-festival closed with the screening of Tiger for Breakfast, a portrait of Boris Lissanevitch, a Russian renaissance man in Nepal.
The mountain film film festival covered a spectrum of documentaries, fiction, adventure cinema, experimental shorts, anthropological narratives and animation from the international scene and Nepal Panorama section.
The top prize worth US$ 1500, under the International film category, was won by Tashi and The Monk, a moving account of one man's determination to give the most vulnerable children of society a loving home and family. Jurek won the second prize while Plesn Pasterza [Sherpherd's Song] took the third prize, worth US$ 1000 and 500 respectively. Kamro [A Slave] won Best Fiction and Bhagyale Bachekaharu [Nepal Earthquake: Heroes, Survivors and Miracles] won the Best Documentary title.
More than 80 films from 25 countries were screened back -to -back in the festival which took place from December 10-14. The film festival was organised by Himal Associatoin.
DAY 2
DECEMBER 11, 2015
FRIDAY
KUMARI HALL
The documentary which I got to watch are:
1. LAST RITES
TRIBENY RAI
5 MIN/ INDIA 2014
The story begins with the father telling his son about their dream house. They start to make their dream house. But after completion of their house, the half of the house is destroyed and the father is inquired. His son takes care of his father and reconstruct the house but unfortunately again the house is destroyed and the son losses his father. The son later destroys the house with the fire.
Although the story is simple, it's average. There are some humour. The audience didn't seem to enjoy the documentary either did I. But the best part is cinematography. The cameraman, Runal Hatimattur has done excellent job. The acting skill is OK and the direction part is OK. Tribeny Rai has done OK part. So, I could rate the documentary film 2/5.
2. KAMARO [ A SLAVE]
ARUN DEO JOSHI
23 MIN 14 SEC/ NEPAL 2015
Kamaro is a documentary about a family, who are slaves to a landlord in Sinja Valley, Karnali Region of Western Nepal. The story reveals suffering of slavery borne by protagonist "Adane" as a young child and an adult, where he has to face a similar fate even after decades.
Adane's parents are slave to a landlord and follows and obeys them. More than that, Adane's mother faced or forced into sexual slavery but Adane's father is silent about it. He never speaks about it because both husband and wife thinks that it is their duty to obey and pleased their landlord. This continues even when Adane grows up. When Adane gets married to, this continues.
The best parts are the language, actors and location. The language is a typical and gives a local flavour. The language gives a realistic feel. Not only this, the actors have done excellent job. The actors are local who have faced the camera for the first time. Their acting is natural and not overacting. The director Arun Deo Joshi has done beautiful job. Not only, director, Cameramen Narayan GC and Ramesh Parajuli have done brilliant job and have captured the beautiful scenes and locations. Furthermore, the person who played the flute for the background score is fabulous. So, I could rate the documentary 4/5.
3. TIME TO DIE
WANG TONG
28 MIN/CHINA 2015
The story begins with the former village head Old Wang who is holding his wife's funeral. But he has something else in his mind that is he wants his son to win the election as the new village head without the family having to cremate his wife's body. New government policy supports cremation instead of traditional burials. But when Old Wang and his son are trying to bury her in secret, his dead wife comes back to life. The situation gets complicated and they hide her in the guest room so that nobody can see her before the election. On the other hand, the village doubts on him and starts digging the place where they have buried her and when Old Wang knows about it, he goes there but they found the dead body. On the same day, the person comes to the house of Old Wang and asks for the forgiveness. Old Wang forgives him but was rush to send him out from the house but he sees the wife of Old Wang. What happens after this? Does his agenda become successful?
The movie had some humour and the acting of Old Wang and his son are excellent. More than that, the director has done the good job. So, I could rate the documentary 3.5/ 5.
4. YATHAWAT [AS IT IS]
TRIBENY RAI
22 MIN/INDIA 2015
Father of the house has just passed away. Mother is left with her three grown up daughters in a foreign land. While the whole family tries to get back the father's government job on grounds of compensation for the youngest daughter, they are all going through their own share of personal crisis. Just when they think that their trying days are over, fate brings them right back to where they started.
The documentary is excellent, I could say. More than that, there are so many humors. Audience will laugh while watching the documentary. The acting of all daughters are excellent. The director Tribeny Rai have done her excellent to make this documentary. So, I could rate the documentary 4/5.
DAY 3
1. WOMEN'S TEARS
KALYAN BANERJEE
13 MIN/ INDIA 2014
Rashi, a character in this documentary is killed in the womb before birth as her parents desire a son. From heaven, her beautiful soul observes her happy parents with their newborn son. She become melancholic. In heaven she meets Nirbhaya, a village girl who was brutally gang raped and murdered. They meet a lady doctor who comes to heaven after being killed by her husband as she is unable to provide a dowry. Ironically, she is the same doctor who aborted Rashi from the womb.
The film gives information how many people abort the baby girl, how many girls/women/child are raped and other causes of VAW.
The documentary could be better if the director had done effort. The director Kalyan Banerjee has just given information about VAW which are like giving news and other awareness program. So, the documentary didn't impress me. Not only this, I didn't like the cinematography. So, I could rate the documentary 1.5/5.
2. RIDERS OF THE MIST
ROOPA BARUA
65 MIN/INDIA 2015
Riders of the Mist is about the century-back bareback pony racing tradition in the state of Assam, India. The ponies are free-grazing and live in the grassland river islands of the Brahmaputra Valley. They come and participate in the annual racing event of a colonial era planters' club in Jorhat, Assam.
The documentary is a portrayal of the races as they unfold, the jockeys and their lives and these ponies that become part of the tradition every year.
Although, the documentary was good to watch, somewhere it was boring. It might be because of one hour documentary. Somewhere if the documentary had done editing and had reduce the time, the documentary could have been better. The director Roopa Barua has done good on her aspects. So, I could rate this documentary 2.5/5.
3. HOMBI, LA TETE DANS LES NUAGES [HOMBI, HIS MIND IN THE SKY]
BENOIT AYMON
26 MIN/ SWITZERLAND 2015
Mountain guide, photographer, filmmaker, Himalayan expert, skier and glacier pilot! Ruedi Homberger-Hombi said-do everything or almost. This extraordinary character who lives in the Grisons, Switzerland, is.... 75 years old! There is definitely no age to keep his child's soul.... Attention, it's contagious!
The people who love adventurous will love the documentary. Even I loved the documentary. So, I could rate the documentary 3/5.
4. K2 AND THE INVISIBLE FOOTMEN
IARA LEE
54 MIN/PAKISTAN/USA 2015
In K2 and the Invisible Footmen, filmmaker Iara Lee and her team chronicle the lives of the indigenous porters of Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan. These heroes of moutaineering make possible the ascent of K2, the second highest mountain in the world. Amid breathtaking scenery, the film depicts the courage and everyday sacrifices of these unacknowledged porters. It also provides a fresh look into Pakistan, a country typically portrayed in the foreign media as being merely a land of conflict and sectarian strife.
The cameraman Jawad Sharif has done excellent job. He has captured the scenes beautifully. Scenes and location are mind-blowing. The director is also the best part. I loved the documentary and its concept. So, I could rate the documentary 3.5/5.
5. MATTERHORN, THE DREAM OF THE BIRD-WOMAN]
RINALDO MARASCO/JEROME PIGUET
50 MIN/ SWITZERLAND 2015
Since she learned to fly, Geraldine Fasnacht wingsuit pilot, nurtures the dream to fly off the top of the Matterhorn. Technological progresses have allowed her and Julien Meyer to realize this world premiere on 7 June 2014. The film reflects the professionalism the two friends needed to perform such a feat.
Some scenes in documentary have beautiful and adventurous and flying scenes makes the audience fly with her. Furthurmore, it gives inspiration to the people to fly especially to women.
To tell the best part of the documentary are the direction and camera part. The cameraman Bertrand Delapierre has captured such beautiful scenes like when Geraldina Fasnacht flies in the Mountain is the best scene captured. Not only this, the director has also done the good job. So, I could rate the documentary 3/5.
6. SATI
BARTLOMIEJ SWIDERSKI
25 MIN/ POLAND 2013
A film reminiscence about Piotr Morawski, a conqueror of six eight-thousanders and a participant of the first in history winter expedition to Shishapangma who died in the Himalayas, on the slope of Dhaulagiri, an 8 April 2009. His story is reported by the mountaineer's wife, Olga tells that after the death of her husband, she has gone to Sati because although, she is live, she is dead with her husband.
The meetings with Olga Morawska, edited in the film, occurred over a period of a few months following her husband's death. The first interview took place just a month after the accident. After the death of Piotr Morawski, Olga wrote books on mountaineering and opened the institution on the climbing to fulfill her husband's dream.
To tell the truth, I didn't like the film as it shows the tribute to Piotr and how Olga suffered and how she felt when she didn't give her time. The director could have done or shown Piotr climbing the mountain more. So, I could rate the documentary 2.5/5.
DAY 4
13TH DECEMBER, 2015
1. TAMA GAUN [THE COPPER VILLAGE]
DIPESH KHAREL/FRODE STORAAS
For 400 years, the settlers of Okharbat Village in Western Nepal have been mining copper successfully and selling it to the local market for their survival. The mining has stopped for 30 years now in the globalization. The film tells a story of the copper miners and the village by emphazing the impact of globalization on their traditional copper industry, the breakdown of community life, and a steady cultural death.
The film follows the foreman Ujir Pun who leads us through the process from excaration to extraction, melting and preparation. As part of the social and cultural context of the process, the film also depicts village life during the autumn festival period. Tama Gaun aims to document a coherent narrative of the miners and the village and record their valuable age-old traditional knowledge of the copper mining process.
The documentary shows the reality of the Nepalese society. As due to the globalization, the copper has collapsed, it want the copper industry to be alive and want the furthur generation to continue the same line but due to its hardness, the young generation are not able to do so. More than this, the making of copper is very difficult and needs lots of people and patience.
The acting of Ujir Pun is so good and excellent. He is the hero of this documentary. In additional to this, the directors Dipesh Kharel and Frode Storaas have done excellent job for acknowledgement research about the traditional copper industry and about to settlers of Okharbat Village in Western Nepal. Not only this, the camera work is also excellent. So, I rate the film 4/5.
2. TOWARDS
SHIVA SHARAN KOIRALA
7 MINUTES/ NEPAL 2014
The documentary is about Gopal who has come of age and has to choose between convention "a giant leap" to make a living. Gopal, although, he is from high caste, he does the work of Dalit for his living.
Honestly, the documentary is not as good as excepted. It could have exaggerated more. Furthermore, the audience doesn't understand the story as the story is about to end the poverty. The documentary is 7 minutes so the movie could have been good and the theme is good which is about to end the poverty. But the time was limited and could have been better. So, I will rate the documentary 2.5/5.
3. AUTO DRIVER
MEENA LONGJAM
30 IN 31 SEC/ INDIA 2015
Auto driver is a documentary about Laibi who is a lady auto-driver based in conflict torn Imphal City. In order to support an ailing husband and educate her two sons, she took up the profession defying social norms and a traditional society, starting off as a daily wage labourer on a brick farm, where she earned only 60 rupees for loading 1,500 bricks, she now has to face the discrimination of passengers who shun lady auto-drivers.
The documentary is good to watch. The documentary is worth to watch and the director has done a great job by showing that women has do anything for her family and is a very brave human being. The director Meena Langjam has done a good job. So, I could rate the movie 3.5/5.
4. UTTORON [THE NEW DAWN]
SAIKAT MALLICK
40 MIN/BANGLADESH 2014
The subject of sexuality is still considered a taboo in South Asia. Sex education among girls and boys about to hit adolescence is rare. As a result, they grow up with skewed concepts which get reflected in risky behaviour, untimely and unsafe pregnancy, eve teasing and rape, child marriage, and child mortality. Few local NGOs have United Under Unite for Body Rights [UBR] and are working to raise awarenes about body rights among local school students in Bangladesh. The film explores the contrast between the sexual objectification prevalent in the society and the efforts of people to be aware of the importance of exercising their body rights.
The documentary is to aware the sex education and related to the people. Youth and women are taken interview to share about their views. The interview showed that still people feel shy to talk about gender and sex. Amazing, boys didn't feel shy to talk about it rather than girls. So, I could rate the documentary 2.5/ 5.
DAY 5
1. 14 DECEMBER, MONDAY
'SET SMIC SHIFT' SHORT FILM COMPETITION SCREENING OF TOP TEN SHORTS/ AWARDS
On this, 10 short films were showed. The films were 12, After the Quake, Bhoto Jatra and Earthquake, Dhartiputra, Effort, Journey to Home, Radio Melamchi 107.2, Rising from Epicentre, Sindhupalchowk Vukamap and The Experience [U ayoayo]. All the films were related to the earthquake and affects of the earthquake. Not only this, these documentaries showed how youth volunteers supported victims and how people came to normal after the earthquake. Furthermore, the documentaries showed that whether the situation has improved or not?
Among these ten documentaries, three won the documentaries which are: After the Quake [First Prize], Rising from Epicentre [2nd Prize] and Dhartiputra [3rd Prize].
2. THE INFINITE SPACE
SIDDHARTH CHAUN
25 MIN/ INDIA 2015
The Infinite Space is a film about relief and imagination and how an innocent child experiments and tests the words of an old religious scripture. A little Buddhist monk, Nawang, 12, is found standing on the top of the sacred hill during prayers, Tashi, a senior monk, notices him and becomes worried. He asks Sonam, 13, another little monk to keep an eye on him.
Nawang has dared to believe in something unusual. Sonam, his best friend, becomes helpless witness to everything Tashi seems to know something.
The film seems to be spiritual and the message is that if you have strong desire and believe, you will achieve everything. Nothing is next to impossible. To be frankly, I didn't feel the movie. Although, I like the message, I didn't like the movie. So, I could like to rate it 2.5/5.
3. EVERY TIME YOU TELL A STORY
RUCHIKA NEGI, ANIT MAHANTI
52 MIN/INDIA 2015
The title got my eyes and wanted to watch it but somehow it failed. The story is about the shawl. Tsungkotepsu is a shawl worn by men of the Ao-Naga tribe in Nagaland , Northeast India. Traditionally, it signified the achievements of warriors who had won enemy heads in war. Even though head hunting days are long gone, the Tsungkotepsu shawl is still central to the Ao-NAga imagination.
Not only this, the film gives the description of history, a way of understanding the shifts that this shawl making tradition has experienced. The documentary also shows the early, colonial anthropology, religion and assimilation within the Indian State.
After watching the documentary, I was little confused whether it was promoting Christianity or shawl. The documentary could have shown the people rather describing. The directors could have let the women speak about their experience on making shawl. Furthermore, the directors could have have made the documentary short rather than 52 minutes. So, I could rate the documentary 3/5.
4. PANAROMA
JON HERRANZ
28 MIN/ SPAIN 2015
In July 2014, Edu Marin took on the most challenging project of his life climbing "Paanroma," with his 62-year-old father, Franciso Marin "Navato." Located in the Tre Cime di Lavaredo National Park, the 500m line is graded 8C, making it one of the world's hardest big walls. In this film, father and son enter the heart of the Dolomites, taking their lives into their own hands with the hope of accomplishing an unprecedented sporting feat which will place them among living climbing legends.
The director Jon Herranz has done an excellent job by making this film. The cameramen Jon Herranz, Mac Subirana and Gerard Peris too did marvellous job. The film is very much adventurous. So, I could rate the film 4/5.
5. THE FROZEN TIMES
52 MIN/ AUSTRIA/ CANADA 2015
BRYAN SMITH, DAVID PEASEN
The Frozen Times is a story about Will Godd pushing the boundary of a sport through his imagination and dedication. The unique spray ice formation at Helmcken Falls, British Columbia, provide a stunning backdrop and ultimate challenge. Considered the hardest ice and mixed climbing in the world, the 140-metre calve is a terrifying complex of giant overhung icicles. It has become Gadd's obession and the leading edge of modern ice climbing.
To be very frankly, I love adventurous films. This film too, I loved it. The director has done a good job. After watching the movie, I even wanted to do something adventurous. So, I could rate the film 4/5.
CLOSING CEREMONY
The 13th edition of Kathmandu International Film Festival [KIMFF]concluded on December 14 at Kumari Hall, Kamal Pokhari. The five-day-festival closed with the screening of Tiger for Breakfast, a portrait of Boris Lissanevitch, a Russian renaissance man in Nepal.
The mountain film film festival covered a spectrum of documentaries, fiction, adventure cinema, experimental shorts, anthropological narratives and animation from the international scene and Nepal Panorama section.
The top prize worth US$ 1500, under the International film category, was won by Tashi and The Monk, a moving account of one man's determination to give the most vulnerable children of society a loving home and family. Jurek won the second prize while Plesn Pasterza [Sherpherd's Song] took the third prize, worth US$ 1000 and 500 respectively. Kamro [A Slave] won Best Fiction and Bhagyale Bachekaharu [Nepal Earthquake: Heroes, Survivors and Miracles] won the Best Documentary title.
More than 80 films from 25 countries were screened back -to -back in the festival which took place from December 10-14. The film festival was organised by Himal Associatoin.
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