Here is the list of Nepali movies submitted to the Oscars.
1. Caravan/Himalaya, 1999.
Directed by Eric Valli, this movie shows the lifestyle of the people living in the upper Doplo of the mid-Western uphill of Nepal and portrays their struggle to survive day-to-day life. This artsy masterpiece shot in the upper Himalayan region, requiring a journey on foot, and consisting of a cast where a majority of the roles were played by locals, was not only the first Nepali movie to the submitted to the Oscars but also the only Nepali movie to be nominated till date.
Watch the trailer here:
2. Mask of desire/Mukundo, 2000.
A compelling dramatic storyline telling the story of a small part of the darkness that lurks in the minds of Nepalese. This movie considered being a hallmark of Nepali cinema was directed by Tsering Rhitar Sherpa, and he had made sure that the movie touches the less spoken of aspects of our society such as the deep-seated patriarchy, superstitions, ignored mental health. Despite not making it through to the nominations, this film was screened in various film festivals such as San Francisco International Film Festival, Vancouver International Film Festival, et cetera.
3. Muna Madan, 2003.
“Manisha thulo dil le huncha jata le hudaina”.
A moving story written by Mahakabhi Laxmi Prasad Devkota, this book had taken Nepali literature by a storm. And the movie directed by Gyanendra Deuja is no less. A tale of a low-income worker, forced to leave his and country to provide for them, faces pain and heartache that resonates with a majority of the population of a country like ours. This story goes on to tell us that no matter what family, what religion and caste we are born into, we bleed the same, and cry the same tears in pain.
4. Basain, 2006.
Directed by Subash Gajurel, this movie is based on the book of the same name written by Lila Bahadur Chhetri. The story follows a poor farmers’ family devastated after a series of natural calamities wreck their homes and fields. That paired with quarrels with fellow villagers drives the family out of the village. This story shows the despair, the desperation of a family as they are forced to make choices they’d never thought of.
Watch the trailer here:
5. Soongava: Dance of the orchids, 2013.
A story of two girls in love, directed by Subarna Thapa, tested whether the same-sex marriage legalized on paper was merely for props or the Nepalese society was ready to let go of the taboo surrounding non-hetero-normative relationships. It revolves around two girls, both coming from strikingly different backgrounds, declaring their love for the world, and how society reacts to it. A real thought-provoking concept that came out at the turn of the era.
Watch the trailer here:
6. Jhola, 2014
Based on a story written by famous writer Krishna Dharabasi, and directed by Yadav Kumar Bhattarai, this is yet another take on the horrors women of Nepal have had to endure since the dawn of time. Amidst splendid cinematography, the movie is shot on the pretext of Eastern Nepal as it was 100 years ago, that still practiced the ‘Sati’ culture. It portrays the emotional connection between a mother and a child, all the while showing the horrors of the society back then. Actress Garima Panta, the lead of the movie was awarded the best actress in the SAARC Film Festival in Sri Lanka.
Watch the trailer here:
7. Talakjung vs Tulke, 2016
A movie about a wrongfully accused person whose self banishment to city life corrupts him further. Set in a village, with the core of authentic Nepalese taste, the directorial sensation of modern Nepali cinema, Nischal Basnet truly captivates the audience with this story. This movie captures in good detail the village life, language, and lifestyle of the people. With a good dash of comedy and veteran actors like Daya Hang Rai and Khagendra Lamichanne, this movie is a breath of fresh air to young Nepali moviegoers.
Watch the trailer here:
8. The black hen/Kalo Pothi, 2016
Set in the context of the Civil war, this masterpiece directed by Min Bahadur Bham tells the story of two friends on a journey to raise enough funds to buy back a sold hen. It is a dramatic tale that explores friendship, the innocence of childhood and humble upbringing, growing up amidst violence, and learning to let go. The child actors amazingly portray the essence of the context and wow the audience with their commitment to the role and dialogue delivery.
Watch the trailer here:
9. The White Sun/Seto Surya, 2017.
Another drama set amidst the aftermath of the decade long civil war that divided the country and families. This movie directed by Deepak Rauniyar tells the tale of how big of drift the war created in personal lives across the country. A difference in political views among brothers creates a hindrance in their father’s funeral rites, leaving one brother alone to tie loose ends. The story goes on to show a man’s journey of personally fighting against the very discriminations and injustice we went to war against.
Watch the trailer here:
10. Panchayat, 2018.
This social drama movie directed by Shivam Adhikari is set during the Panchayat era and focuses on the condition of women during that time. The movie touches many aspects of the lives people lead in 1974, including the Sati system, female education, and the justice system. It goes on to show the audience a part of our history that is not read about in-depth; it shows the emotions of the people who lived through the things that we now consider as just some dark blotches in our history.
Watch the trailer here:
11. Bulbul, 2019.
The story of a mother struggling to meet ends to support her child and a paralyzed father-in-law as the money her husband sends from the Gulf slowly starts to decline. This is a story of the struggle of life, but the thing that made this movie unforgettable is how easily it could be the story of the viewers. You could be watching the movie and in one point or the other you’ll see your story reflecting in it, and that’s what makes it as amazing as it is.
Watch the trailer here: