NATIONAL7 (Spotlight Weekly)]

Dream Come True

Caravan makes history by being the first Nepali film to be nominated for the Oscar Awards

By A CORRESPONDENT

When Caravan first hugged the screens of Jaya Nepal Cinema Theater in Kathmandu last October, nobody had the slightest inkling of what the fate had in store for the film's success.

Tinle in Caravan : From Dolpa to Los Angeles

The film shot exclusively on the rough mountain terrains of Dolpa, the biggest district of Nepal, lying on the north-western Himalayas, not only impressed the viewers but also managed to make history by being the first Nepali film to be nominated for the Oscar Awards.

The US Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences nominated Caravan from Nepal for the 72nd annual Oscar Awards under the foreign film category along with four other films including "All About My Mother" from Spain, "East West" from France, "Solomon and Gaenor" from United Kingdom and "Under the Sun" from Sweden.

Dubbed as a boring documentary on mountain people's livelihood by some, the film went on to win applauds from not only the tourists, who are naturally enthralled by scenes of Himalayas, but also the local population -- otherwise fed exclusively with the Bollywood formula films.

The film's offbeat storyline, nevertheless, managed to impress the Nepalese viewers. The still serpentine queue in the Jaya Nepal theater is a testimony to the film's success among Nepalese cine-goers.

The film based on the life of salt traders of Upper Dolpa region is directed by noted French photographer Eric Valli. Valli is internationally recognized for his fabulous documentary "Honey Hunters In Nepal". This time he made Caravan after fifteen years of study and nine months of shooting.

Caravan counts French, British and Swiss producers apart from Nepalese for its production. It is a joint venture between Galatee Films, France and National Studio, Nepal. Made in local Dolpeli language, the actors of the film are entirely Nepalese.

The film basically portrays the life of salt traders of the region who lead yak caravan along a long and arduous trek across the Himalayas to Tibet. It depicts the harsh life of the mountain people and their strange rituals.

The film revolves around the central character of Tinle that is played out by Thilen Lhondup.

Tinle is the chieftain of the salt traders, whose eldest son has just died. He refuses to allow the young Karma, whom he accuses of being responsible for his son's death, to lead the caravan. Karma gathers young members of the clan and sets off for Tibet leading the caravan on his own.

Stung by such a rebellion, Tinle with the help from his old friends and with his grandson, who will take the head of the caravan, decides against all odds to set out for the formidable destination.

The technical side of the film is handled by French. But its story, language and location all are Nepalese. Thus, it was nominated as a film from Nepal in the Oscars.

"Today, we all Nepalese should be proud of Caravan," said Neer Bikram Shah, co-producer of Caravan and executive director of National Studio. Visibly elated Shah said the nomination of Caravan is an encouragement to the whole Nepalese film industry.

"For any film maker, the Oscar Awards is the ultimate dream. Same is true for us Nepalese film makers. With Caravan's nominations, we are just a step away from realizing that dream," said Shah.

Shah will be representing the film on behalf of Nepal during the 72nd annual Oscar Awards Ceremony scheduled to be held in Los Angeles, USA, on March 26, 2000.

"From now onwards, we will be anxiously counting days with our fingers crossed till March 26," Shah said.

Like Shah said, it will not only be him or the Nepalese film industry but the whole nation or for that matter, the entire South Asian region that will be holding its breath before the winner is finally announced on March 26, 2000.