“It’s sad that we Nepali people know very less about mountains although having so many of them in our own land,” he said. [break]
The quiz, a regular feature of the fest, in previous years was dominantly answered by foreigners. This year however, it took an interesting turn when the Nepali audiences emerged as active participants, giving correct answers most of the time.
The show stealer was Apil Dev Neupane who won three gifts for correct answers. “He is a genius,” said Dixit referring to Neupane. “it’s good to learn that people are getting more aware.”
Apil, who is a medical student at the Maharajgunj Medical Campus, claims to have read 14 volumes of Encyclopedia and addicted to Google Earth. “I am also an avid reader of the National Geographic Magazine,” he shared.
Another attraction was the screening of ‘Secrets of Dhaulagiri’ a 30 minute documentary on the lives of people living in the Dhaulagiri region of the country.
Directed by Prabesh Subedi the documentary explores the lifestyle, culture, rituals and more importantly a week long festival observed by the villagers.
This twice-a-year event offers the locals with entertainment, business opportunities and the yak blood drinking which they believe has immense health benefits.
This blood drinking ritual is of so much importance to the villagers that they stay all fourteen days just to gulp down that one glass of blood each day.
Prabesh after the world premiere of his documentary talked to Republica
What made you film this documentary?
I must have been only six years of age then. My father, a teacher was posted to teach at a school in Dhaulagiri. Although our stay there was not very long the memories of that place lingered on. It’s a beautiful place with as beautiful people residing there.
I always wanted to go back, to relive the memories then sometime back I got the chance. I visited Dhaulagiri to find it just as serene as it was some two decades ago. While my stay there I decided was going to film the life of the people there.
You story telling is not a typical documentary type?
Yes. Actually it was a purposely made decision. I have used no extra narrator which is ubiquitous while making documentaries. Actually, I wanted the story to flow in such a manner that it does not get boring and the quotes are directly from the horse’s mouth.
I do accept that there are a few places that need rework. I was trying to show to different characters who meet up at the climax but it has not come out as smoothly as I had imagined. I guess these things are bound to happen and you keep learning it was a 14-hour long video which I have brought down to 30 minutes.
The audience seems to be all praises though.
Well I guess they liked the film. They seemed to be happy about the fact that they witnessed the lives of those who live at the 26,795ft altitude. Also the ‘yak blood drinking festival’ in the documentary was something new for the audiences.
Any interesting incident that occurred while filming that you’d like to share?
Well there is no incident that I particularly recall. The whole process, however, was a tough journey. Many of the characters in my film are old uneducated folks and therefore a very difficult to deal with.
Firstly, they did not understand what a documentary was and also the fact that, last year a television channel had broadcast a special report on the blood drinking fest in a negative light made things worse.
The people were not willing to talk to me, because they believe the fest is not only a time to rejoice and build camaraderie but is that part of their lives which they refuse to give up. Even after I managed to convince them that I was not against them or the fest, there were times when the characters would refuse to be interviewed for no particular reason. It took me six months to complete it.
So we’ll be seeing more documentaries from you?
Yes. I’m planning to take this as a full time job. I would like to travel all over the country and share with people their stories. I think we as Nepali people need to at least know about each other and if possible help. I really hope I am able to film and showcase remote, unexplored regions, the people and cultures.
The documentary is scheduled to be screened again at the closing ceremony of KIMFF on Monday at 5pm at the Rastriya Sabha Griha, (City Hall) Exhibition Road.
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