Laalu Bohara, Meena Pariyar, Bina BK, Bindu BK, and Sunita Nepali are five girls who received training under the Grassroots Filmmaking Training (GFMT) organized by the Human Rights Film Center (HRFC) and supported by the Australian Embassy in Nepal.[break]
The training was conducted by Rajesh Gongaju who, after giving them guidance on the basic methods of documentary making, divided them into two groups. Laalu Bohara and Meena Pariyar formed the first group while Bina BK, Bindu BK and Sunita Nepali were in the second group.
The girls were then assigned an independent project to film a documentary.
While the first group chose to tackle the subject of illiteracy and education among the so called Dalits in the society, the second group was fascinated by a local incident. A young couple had recently committed suicide after their marriage being rejected by their families for belonging to different castes.
Their films were screened as a part of the second Human Rights Film Festival held from February 23 to 26 at the Nepali Tourism Board in Kathmandu. We shared some moments with these young novice filmmakers.
Laalu Bohara
She is blessed with a beautiful voice and plans to release an album in the near future. A student of sociology, Laalu is now thinking of staying back in the capital to continue her education. “I want to get my graduation in the subject so that it will give me more ideas and the strength to tackle various issues,” she shares.
Films, she believes, are the easiest and most effective method of bringing about changes in the society as visual mediums can communicate even to those who are illiterate.
“I didn’t understand the language people used in most of the films showcased here but I think I got the core message of most of them, at least I think so,” she giggles.
Asked how she felt on being appreciated for her filmmaking skills, she claims to have never been as happy. “This is something new and beautiful and I want this sense of happiness to last and therefore will continue making films.”
Meena Pariyar
Meena is astonished at the ways of the people in the capital. She shares that she has yet to figure out why everyone is in ‘such a rush.’
People, back in her village, she shares, are so much more relaxed and fun loving. “We have these musical gatherings and my job is to play the madal,” she shares, adding “I haven’t had much time for that lately but I’m not complaining. Cinema is my newfound love.”
At first, she was hesitant because for someone who had never seen a camera, directing a documentary sounded like chasing a mirage.
The training, however, instilled in her the confidence and the techniques. Her film “Khatti Sun” talks of Kopila who has joined school rather late.
A girl endeavoring to join school at 15 was inspirational, Meena thought. “I had to share Kopila’s tale with other women in the society and encourage them to do the same,” she says.
Bina BK
She almost dozed off while at the screenings of one of the films at the Human Rights Film Festival. “I couldn’t understand a word they were saying,” she giggles, adding “Their English language words were too difficult.” Bina however was clever enough to learn the camera movements and other technical details of documentary making.
“I’m going to use a few ideas in my next film,” shares the new filmmaker who until not long ago dreamt of becoming an airhostess.
“They look so pretty all the time and get to travel to so many places,” she explains her fascination. Asked if she still carries the dream, her reply is “I can only think of making documentaries now.” Her education was put to a halt but she is going to give it a continuation alongside making films.
Bindu BK
“It feels overwhelming, so many people and the claps, they are like thunder,” she describes her experience at her documentary’s screening. Bindu was in her intermediate levels when she had to leave school owing to some family reasons. The filmmaking training however has infused in her a sense of achievement.
Sunita Nepali
“I like Pokhara better, it’s not so scarily crowded,” she says on being asked how she likes Kathmandu. Sunita was not only among the makers of the film but also one of the characters.
Having fallen in love and gotten secretly engaged to a boy from a so called upper caste of the society, she has had to face physical and mental abuse, rejection, humiliation – the theme of the documentary.
A local of Baglung, Sunita, after the training, feels she is empowered and while giving continuity to her job as a painter, she will also make films.
“Through my films, I hope to tackle issues deeply rooted in the society,” she says, adding “I might not be able to bring about immediate changes but will definitely encourage dialogue.”
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