In Bollywood, it was Danny Boyle’s “Slumdog Millionaire” that brought out the gritty images of Mumbai’s slums to the audience; in Nepal, we now have Murray Kerr’s “Sick City.” The film is even more grounded. No star is mocked in the film, and it has no fairytale ending. [break]
Kathmandu gets a unique exposure through Kerr’s eyes. Poverty, sex and drugs rule its tourist hub – Thamel. And Krishna, the protagonist in the film, enacted by Arpan Thapa, is a petty hustler who gambles with his life.
The film’s sets have a natural grandeur. It is the usual Basantapur and Thamel. The cobbled streets in Ason are crowded as usual; and when Krishna is running away from two of his friends, one can feel the angst. He lives in the attic of a rundown house, his ambition is to make it big in life; but when his dreams for a prosperous life collide in a night, it makes for a captivating tale.
The director has infused life into Krishna’s character. And Arpan Thapa dons on the role of Krishna both in mind and body. He has superbly transformed himself into Krishna. His gait and dialogue delivery can only be applauded.
From Maya, Krishna’s wife, to the solemn rickshaw pullers in the film, everything is realistic. The director has molded himself into the film. He has not made the film for others but for himself. At KC’s shop, the radio plays songs of Narayan Gopal and Deep Shrestha. Kerr is a fan of both Gopal and Shrestha.
He must have experienced the treatment foreigners get in Thamel, as it is reflected on in one of the scenes. His camerawork blends perfectly with the script to present an hour of undisputed good storytelling.
The film is a breakthrough in numerous ways. It is an eye opener for all the so-called Nepali film directors, Nepali film enthusiasts and wannabe Nepali filmmakers. It is so not only because of the strong script and crisp editing but for the milepost it has created in the history of Nepali filmmaking. This is a film that has come out of Kathmandu, the power centre of the nation and the Nepali film industry. Amazingly, it does stand out.
Sick City does not have the natural diversity of Mustang or Jomsom or the escapism that is enrobed in each Nepali commercial film. It has a sensitivity that is hard to deny. It is the story of a city – our very own Kathmandu. Manu, Laxmi, Maya, and Krishna are all struggling in this city that only eats on their souls. If one must move ahead in life, as fate unfolds, the others must be sacrificed.
Tiny hopeful moments, however, sparkle in between the scenes, and so do regret and crime. Though the film ends in tragedy, it, among other things, gives hope to all Nepali youngsters who aspire to work behind the camera. It proves that there are stories hidden in every nook and corner of Kathmandu, they are just waiting to be told and unfolded.
Our industry does not lack creativity and energy to make films. We have the technicality, but what we lack is passion: The passion to tell our own stories, and not bottle up any ideas that appeal to us from Hollywoodian and Bollywoodened movies.
Production, script, direction, and editing: Murray Kerr
Cast: Arpan Thapa, Sara Lama, Jayananda Lama, Manu Thapa, Binod Paudel, Sudin Bastola, and Harisha Baniya
Original music composed and performed by Shyam Nepali
Rating: Must watch
Related story
Akshay Kumar reacts to boycott 'Raksha Bandhan', 'Laal Singh Ch...
