"Sick City" releasing on March 18

KATHMANDU, March 5: Save the cynicism for the Nepali film industry.



On March 18, the Murray Kerr-directed Nepali feature film “Sick City” is releasing through Quest Entertainment.



It may just get you to revise your opinion about Nepali feature films. [break]



The recipient of the Best Nepali Film Award in the Nepal Panorama category of the Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival (KIMFF) 2010, Sick City brings on screen an untold Nepali story in an unconventional way.



Here is what the director and lead protagonist have to say.



Murray Kerr, Director

Since the release date of Sick City has been finalized, I’ve been feeling excited, nervous and hopeful at the same time.



I see this as a very positive move for filmmakers like me. The censored version of the film will be released in theatres.







We’ve received an AA Certificate for the film. When I was making the film in 2009, I didn’t expect the film to get a commercial release. All I wanted to do was make an urban film in a MiniDV format. I had only been making commercials and shorts till then.



I made the film for sheer altruistic reasons. It was my first feature film, something I wanted to do for a long time.



But it turned out to be a very good film, an edgy one, and we’re all excited about its release. It’s an honest film.



Although we already screened it at KIMFF, it’s necessary that the film gets a commercial release because it can initiate discussion on a broader level. All over the world, feature films are now screened at film festivals and then in commercial cinema halls.



As an audience, we’re used to associating cinema with escapism and fantasy. This film has a level of fantasy but it’s aimed at audience involvement through the portrayal of reality.



Arpan Thapa, Lead Actor

Initially, I wasn’t supposed to be in the main role in the film. We auditioned a lot of actors, and after much scanning, I decided to act as the protagonist.



I’ve never believed in stardom as an actor. Out-of-the-world heroism on screen doesn’t appeal to me.



I play a character who’s is opposite of me in real life, and I believe I’ve justified the given role.



Since I’m very critical of my own work, I must mention that I’m never one hundred percent satisfied with my performance.



But I’ve lived the character on screen. As a viewer, I love myself in the climatic scene when I’m telling my screen wife that all that I’ve ever done is for the family.



I enjoyed saying the dialogues and watching myself later.



This month is an exciting one for me. I have two releases lined up, and through both of them, I explore myself as an actor.



I’m eagerly waiting for the response of the audience.

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