Currently a full-time Film Studies student at Edge Hill University, Lancashire, he‘s majoring in Film Production.
The website nyfms.com, that went online from March 2, 2010, is run for the most part on his own expense. He receives occasional contributions from close friends and well-wishers, mostly Nepali students studying film abroad.
In an email interview with Republica, Sid Ney reflects on his transition from Nepal to UK, his website and the future of Nepali film industry.
You first exposure to films
I was raised in Bhandara, Chitwan. My village had no electricity. The nearest cinema halls were located in Narayanghat. My uncle who worked in Kathmandu used to take me to the cinema on each of his visits to the village. I used to savor those moments.
All the films that I saw in the halls were Nepali. After watching more than a dozen Nepali films, I had figured out the formulae of Nepali films. I remember watching a Nepali film whose opening sequence was so long that I predicted what would happen next. I was ecstatic that my prediction was right. It really struck me and now as a filmmaker I realize that the most crucial moment of the film is the opening sequence.
Then after a few years, when finally we had electricity in our village, a 14 inch black and white TV arrived at home. Every Saturday a bunch of my friends gathered in my house around 1pm to watch NTV. The channel aired Hindi films and I didn’t miss a single one. I can’t explain the happiness I and my friends obtained by impersonating the hero and villain of the films.
Moving to the UK
I recall that day vividly -- the day my uncle and I were supposed to pick up our passports from the UK Embassy. I didn’t want to leave Nepal. I was distraught and left my uncle’s apartment an hour before we were scheduled to leave for the Embassy.
I was 13, and naïve. I can still picture myself walking alone, barefoot, in the streets of Kathmandu. I didn’t know where I was going but I realized that I had wandered near Singha Durbar when some security personnel called me for questioning. I was scared out of my wits but suddenly my uncle appeared out of nowhere and took the matters in his hand. He had to struggle with them for a while to prove that I was his nephew.
I’m happy that my family decided to move to the UK. Initially I was very homesick but now I have found a place for myself.
Studying at the Blackheath Bluecoat Sixth Form College, I was sucked into the world of filmmaking. I was able to learn filmmaking styles and my thirst for the discipline kept growing. Then I applied for a scholarship at Edge Hill University and was accepted.
About nyfms.com
The purpose of my website is to inform people that the Nepali film industry is changing. Since I’m also an aspiring filmmaker, I’m trying to garner support for our young filmmakers. I encourage people to go and watch films made by them. By analyzing recent trends in the Nepali film industry and discussing new films, I try to show that there’s no use in encouraging traditional filmmakers by watching their films. It’s a waste of time and money. It is better to go and watch new films by young Nepali filmmakers because they are the ones who can bring about change.
The Nepali film industry
I saw no hope in the Nepali film industry but now I have changed my views. Young filmmakers hold the destiny of the industry in their hands and are capable to take it to new heights. All we need is a little bit of encouragement from audiences.
You study abroad and write about Nepali films. How can people trust your judgment?
Film has no language. Anyone can analyze, direct and criticize films. Being a Nepali, I feel that Nepali films have to make audiences think and react. We need to be making Nepali films that audiences can relate to, and if I can create that awareness through my writing, why not?
Your favorite films
Irreversible (Gaspar Noé, 2002)
Mary and Max (Adam Elliot, 2009)
A Town Called Panic (Stéphane Aubier, Vincent Patar, 2009)
Seema Rekha (Kishor Rana)
Inception (Christopher Nolan, 2010)
About the name: Sid Ney
No one really calls me Dipesh anymore except for my old friends and family. Sid was the name given to me by my best friend, Valdis Funmeijs. Once in college, Valdis asked me my name and I replied, “Dipesh”. He thought for a few seconds and said, “From now on, it’s Sid”. Si is the acronym for Silwal and D stands for Dipesh.
“Ney” got added in the university. My roommates asked me my name and I said, “Sid”. They asked, “What’s your last name?” I just said, “Ney” out of nowhere. And thus I’m now Sid Ney.
Sid Ney’s other side?
I love cooking and listening to hip-hop and old Nepali songs. I’m a little superstitious. I don’t move ahead if a cat crosses my path. I always pour items evenly while cooking like two spoons of sugar or four cups of rice. I also don’t whistle during the night. When I’m filming, I must take shots from different angles and I hate zooming in on subjects.
The young Nepali film makers you like
This is a challenging decision to make but there are a few ones I admire: Pitamber Pandey, Manoj Pandit, Jiban Bhattarai and Samten Bhutia to name a few from the promising lot. They are breaking our industry’s conventional rules and making us proud.
When will you be making your own film?
If I direct a film, it will obviously be a Nepali one. At the moment, I’m working on my scripts. I can’t mention a fixed time, but I will make a film.
The future of Nepali films
Bright, like the sun.
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