West Meets East
British film festival gives a new taste for Nepalese big screen fans
By A CORRESPONDENT
Like in the past, British Film Festival attracted a large number of Nepalese film lovers at the premises of Gopi Krishna Film Hall. For audience used to watch Nepali, Hindi and Hollywood flicks, the British films have offered a different taste.
Organized by British Council with the support from British Embassy, the sixth British Film Festival, which began from 15-19, January brought many interesting British films in the capital city. Inaugurated by British ambassador to Nepal Andrew Hall, the film festival also gave opportunity to Nepalese film industry to see the viability of British film in Nepal .
“We will be showing contemporary films that represent the rich diversity of modern British cinema. The festival is a feast of genres, from comedy to war to social drama,” said John Fry, country manager of British Council.
In terms of technical quality, story theme and other aspects, the British films were very good and unique. The British films lured a large number of Nepalese youths. Despite the cold of mid January, each of the film received overwhelming number of cinema lovers.
From various cultural and social issues to the life in the conflict, the British films have varied themes for Nepalese audience. From war to love and cultural transformation, British films showed where the modern world is heading.
The four films displayed at the big screen of Gopi Krishna Cinema each had varied themes and distinct stories with high quality. At a time when the country has been passing through very critical time with bitter experience of conflicts, Hotel Rwanda showed how cruel the conflict can be for human lives.
Hotel Rwanda is the true story of one man’s brave stance against savagery during the 1994 Rwanda conflict. Film showed the devastation of human life and values in conflict-hit society. As his country descends into madness, five-star hotel manager Paul Rusesabagina (Cheadle) sets out to save his family. When he sees the world not intervening in the massacre of minority Tutsis, he finds the courage to open his hotel to 1200 refugees.
This film gives a lesson that humanity holds up even in the difficult and painful situation. How a man’s courage can save the life of hundreds of people? With a rabidly violent militia at the gates, he has only his wits and words to keep them alive for another hour and another day.
The film is full of sensation and suspension about the situation. People are desperate about their life and nobody is certain about the next few minutes. Everything is possible there. Although Nepal has not seen any ethnic clashes till now, many Nepalese have experienced living in the conflict-ridden society.
Joyeux Noel is another interesting film about the life in the war zone. This wonderful European film is respectful and sobering tribute to the universal humanitarian spirit amid the darkest days of a devastating conflict. The story plot was about the Christmas of 1914. It showed how human emotions connect each other even during the time of war. In a brief truce, both the sides of army discover many things about them including unexpected connections between them.
Although they are there in fighting spirit, the men have also experienced a surprisingly strong kinship with their fellow combatant. This film gave the message that the inherent feeling of humanity connects each other.
Other films Vera Drake, Nancy McGhee and the Mistress of Spices too were also interesting and have unique quality in expressing the human life.
In terms of quality of films and story, Nepalese entertainment industry can learn many things from them. These films w ill also be screened in Pokhara from 26-28 January.
