The film depicts the lives and struggles of two lesbians in the present Nepali society, played by Nisha Adhikari and Deeya Maskey. The film’s selection was announced during a press meet at Union House in Anamnagar on Sunday.
Directed by Subarna Thapa, the film has participated in Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival and various international film festivals like Montreal World Film Festival 2012, Hamburg Filmfest 2012, among others. The film also won the Jury Award at the 14th Mumbai Film Festival. [break]
It is after a hiatus of almost eight years that Nepal is participating in the prestigious film award ceremony. Earlier, films like ‘Caravan’, ‘Mukundo’, ‘Muna Madan’ and ‘Basai’ were the official selection from Nepal.
The film was selected by a six member committee, comprising Laxmi Nath Sharma, Pradeep Upadhyay, Raju Thapa, Kapil Parajuli and Chiranjeevi Guragain. Sharma praised the technical aspects and the quality of presentation of the film and also remarked on the actors’ talents. “The film has managed to look deep into human emotions, which has not been done in any Nepali film before,” he added.
Actor Nisha Adhikari said, “I didn’t really hope that ‘Soongava’ would be chosen as the official entry from Nepal, but when I heard the news, I was extremely happy. I didn’t expect it because the film was pitted against other equally good films. I would have been happy even if any of the other films were chosen because it’s great that Nepal is again participating in Oscars after eight years.”
Thapa, who is currently in France, spoke during the conference over Skype. He stated that he considers ‘Soongava’ a ‘Nepali’ film, and does not just view it as just his own.
The 2014 Oscars is set to take place on March 2.
Related story
93rd Academy Awards: No 'virtual affair' for Oscars 2021
