On Friday, I attended British Council Nepal’s Reel Connections short-film screening event in Kathmandu. I had the pleasure of moderating the conversation. The screening showcased stories by Nepali diaspora filmmakers from the UK. The films touched on themes from identity, belonging, migration, family, and diversity. The selection of films were curated by Asmita Shrish. Asmita’s own film Auntie Ganga was well received by the audience. The audience included His Excellency Rob Fenn, British Ambassador to Nepal. The screening also saw participation of a small team from the British Embassy Kathmandu.
It was brilliant to see that no theme was off-limit in the series of films that were screened. Films that shared the plight of Gurkhas and their fight for equal pension were also screened during the event. I applaud the teams for allowing these narratives to be screened.
For Nepalis like myself, the selection of films resonated strongly. At times, we have felt like we belong everywhere but also nowhere. A lot of how we feel and where we place ourselves also changes with time and growth. I personally loved the open conversation in The People Closest to Heaven by Swek Rai. Of course, Tara Manandhar’s Top Ten LDN was a visual treat and a great showcase of how you can find the world in London! People from all over the world have made London their home, bringing their culture, language, food, music and way of life – and Tara’s film is a celebration of that.
I enjoyed the conversation with Asmita and also hearing from different members of the audience. We had fellow Nepalis from the UK diaspora and also Belgium and Hong Kong. Stories have always and will continue to be important – they do wonders to bring us together. I hope we continue to write, capture, and film. We should also share our work. Platforms should be created where these can be screened. This will help real-life connections to be made.
Huge thanks to the British Council Nepal for having me as a moderator.
Short films:
Auntie Ganga by Asmita Shrish
I Thank My Mother For My Hair by Susannah Limbu and Anna Dobs
New Ruins by Maximus Limbu
The People Closest to Heaven by Swek Rai
Top Ten LDN by Tara Manandhar
Mulberry Madness by Shirish Gurung
Photos by Sadiksha Chaudhary
Check out my previous event with British Council Nepal.
