“Marthubhoomi: A Nation without women” screened at 4^th Sitting of the MOVIE CLUB

At the fourth sitting of the movie club, we screened one of the best alternative Indian film called “Martubhoomi: a nation without women”. This film was written and directed by Manish Jha. when the girl child is born, shortly thereafter the father takes the baby and drowns it in a Calderon of milk this very beginning scene of the film gives the whole sense of the movie that is, gender discrimination in india.

the MOVIE CLUB is a place basically form to promote the alternative films by giving space to these films and filmmakers. The MOVIE CLUB takes place second Tuesday of every month at the Timur, Food Centre. 

“The MOVIE CLUB”- 3rd sitting conducted

“the MOVIE CLUB” on its 3rd sitting, on 13 September, Onion films featured Maroon Studio, formed by group of young filmmakers (Nischal Poudyal, Manoj K Pant, Koomar Moktan, Ubaraj Adhikari, Sudeep Rimal, Subodh Pandey and Umesh Ghorsain )  hoping do something new and creative in the field of short films and two short films, Big Pot and Shuvaratri produced under this group were screened. Big pot is the story of four friends who are frustrated with their own life and lives in a big dream hope, and this film was directed by Nischal Poudyal and Manoj k Pant. Similarly other film, Shuvaratri, which is also the Jury award winner of the Nepal Army contest, is the story about wounded rebellion survivor and army officer in 2002, during the bloodiest civil war in Nepal and this film was directed by Nischal Poudyal.

After the screening, filmmaker answered the queries from the participant like

-          Development of the concepts?
-          High time and low times while making the films?

-          Challenges of making short films?

Top 10 Classic Movies (pre-1960) you shouldn't miss!

 --Surath Giri

I was inspired to write this post when for a 100^th time I was asked how could I manage to watch slow and or black & white movies. And what classic movies should one watch so that he/she doesn't fall asleep during the movie and develop a distaste for the oldies . I have compiled here a list of my most favorite classic movies made before 1960 along a short synopsis and reason why I loved the movie. I am sure if you are able to find these movies and finish them, you'll start loving the classics. A warning though: Once you get used to watching the classics, it hard to get you out of their world. Proceed with caution!

 1. 12 Angry Men (1957, Sidney Lumet,96 minutes)

Adapted from a teleplay of the same name by Reginald Rose, this court room drama has inspired countless remakes in countless other languages. 12 Angry Men, tells the story of a jury made up of 12 men as they deliberate the guilt or innocence of a defendant on the basis of reasonable doubt.Except for the opening titles and a few other scenes, the whole movie is set inside a room in a court. The viewers are always engaged and on the edge of their seats as the 12 men discuss and debate the innocence or guiltyness of the defendant. I really loved the way the movie keeps the viewers interested and glued to their seats even though all it consists is 12 people discussing and debating, nothing else.

2. Casablanca (1942,Michael Curtiz,102 minutes)

Of the 1100+ movies I have watched so far, Casablanca is the ultimate romantic drama for me. Set during World War II, it's a triangular love story. During the world war, Rick Blaine, exiled American and former freedom fighter, runs the most popular nightspot in Casablanca which is under German occupation and is a transit point for refugees escaping to United States.Blaine comes into the possession of two valuable letters of transit. When a Nazi Major arrives in Casablanca, the local police Captain Renault does what he can to please him, including detaining Czech underground leader Victor Laszlo. Much to Rick's surprise, Lazslo arrives at Casablanca with Ilsa, Rick's one time love. Rick is very bitter towards Ilsa, who ran out on him in Paris, but when he learns she had good reason to, they plan to run off together again using the letters of transit. But fate holds different plans for them...

 3. Some Like It Hot (1959, Billy Wilder, 120 minutes)

Some like it hot is the ultimate comedy from one of the greatest film director ever- Billy Wilder. Two struggling musicians witness a massacre and try to find a way out of the city before they are found and killed by the mob. The only job that will pay their way is an all girl band so the two dress up as women. In addition to hiding, each has his own problems; One falls for another band member but can't tell her his gender, and the other has a rich suitor who will not take "No," for an answer. American Film Institute has named it the greatest comedy of all time. Thirty minutes into the movie and you'll be laughing till your stomach hurts. Need I say  more?

4. A Streetcar Named Desire (1951, Elia Kazan, 122 minutes)

"I've Always Depended On The Kindness Of Strangers." I found this famous quote from the movie very hard to get out of my mind. Based on a immensely famous play of the same name by Tenessesse Williams, this was the movie that launched Maron Brando career into stardom. Blanche Dubois goes to visit her pregnant sister and husband Stanley in New Orleans. Stanley doesn't like her, and starts pushing her for information on some property he knows was left to the sisters. He discovers she has mortgaged the place and spent all the money, and wants to find out all he can about her. Even more friction develops between the two while they are in the apartment together... A simple story but legendary acting by every actor in the story is what makes this movie unforgettable for me.

5. Witness For The Prosecution (1957, Billy Wilder, 116 minutes)

This Agatha Christie's story is so full of one surprise after another that you get used to them and don't see the largest twist come and blow away your mind in the end. Even today, the movie feels fresh and new. At previews of the movie, audience members received, and were asked to sign, cards that read, "I solemnly swear I will not reveal the ending of Witness for the Prosecution." Have I enticed you enough to watch the movie? If not here's a short plot summary (except the ending of course): 

When Leonard Vole is arrested for the sensational murder of a rich, middle-aged widow, the famous Sir Wilfrid Robarts agrees to appear on his behalf. The case is so difficult: Vole's only alibi witness is his wife, the calm and coldly calculating Christine Vole. Sir Wilfrid's task becomes even more impossible when Christine agrees to be a witness not for the defence but for the prosecution...

6. Sunset Blvd. (1950, Billy Wilder, 110 minutes) 

As I list the third Billy Wilder movie in my list, I am realizing how brilliant and versatile Mr. Wilder was. He surely is one of the greatest directors of all time. This movie of his made me fall in love with the "film-noir" genre of movies. This is such a great film on so many levels I can't really settle on where to begin. Let's begin with a plot summary. An unsuccessful screenwriter is drawn into the fantasy world of a silent-era movie star (played by Gloria Swanson) who refuses to believe that her days in the silver screen are over and dreams of making a triumphant return to the screen. She lives with only her butler, Max who was once her director and husband in an old mansion at Sunset Blvd. After meeting the screenwriter, she begins a relationship with him which results in various complications. Gloria Swanson's acting in the movie is considered one of the greatest performance in the screen ever. I totally agree with that!

7. The General (1926, Buster Keaton, 107 minutes)

If Charlie Chaplin is the only image that conjures up in your mind when you hear the term "silent comedies", then you are in for a treat with Buster Keaton's The General. Not only will this silent comedy keep you laughing uncontollably till the end, it will provide a refreshing look at silent comedies. Buster Keaton who not only directed the movie but also plays the main character in the movie is absolutely amazing. While funny, Keaton is much more than just a clownish figure – he manages to evoke a lot of sympathy as well, and he genuinely becomes what can only be described as an action hero as well. His timing, whether for a joke or for a tender moment, is absolutely impeccable. You can be sure of one thing after watching the movie, it's not possible to make movies such as this anymore and there is more to silent comedies than Charlie Chaplin.

Plot Summary: Johnnie loves his train ("The General") and Annabelle Lee. When the Civil War begins he is turned down for service because he's more valuable as an engineer. Annabelle thinks it's because he's a coward. Union spies capture The General with Annabelle on board. Johnny must rescue both of his loves.

8. The Wages Of Fear (1953, Henri-Georges Clouzot, 131 minutes)

Very few thrillers have glued me to the seat as much as this Freach thriller by Henri-Georges Clouzot. Four European adventurers who are stuck nearly penniless in a festering town in an unnamed South American country agree to drive a load of highly dangerous and explosive nitroglycerin to be delivered to a remote well fire 300 miles away burning out of control. The route is through jungles and over crude and treacherous mountains and those men are desperate enough to take the chance. None of these men is heroic or generous, they are in for the money. Their long, harrowing ride over bad roads with their cargo ready to explode at every jolt and jar; the drivers are gambling with their very lives against the opportunity to escape from their steaming, sordid environment.Every possible jolt brings the viewers' hearts to their throats. I am sure these four characters will remain etched in your mind for a long time after the movie.

9. Singin' In The Rain (1952, Stanley Donen & Gene Kelly, 103 minutes)

Until I watched Singin' In The Rain, I had never thought a musical would be so fun to watch.I didn't like musicals. They never made any sense to me. This movie changed my perceptions totally. "Singin' in the Rain" is one of the best musicals of all times. Even today it's so fun to watch. Although it was not a big hit when first released, it was accorded its legendary status by contemporary critics.

Plot Summary: In 1927, Don Lockwood and Lina Lamont are a famous on-screen romantic pair. Lina, however, mistakes the on-screen romance for real love. Don has worked hard to get where he is today, with his former partner Cosmo. When Don and Lina's latest film is transformed into a musical, Don has the perfect voice for the songs. But Lina - well, even with the best efforts of a diction coach, they still decide to dub over her voice. Kathy Selden is brought in, an aspiring actress, and while she is working on the movie, Don falls in love with her. Will Kathy continue to "aspire", or will she get the break she deserves ? 

10. North By Northwest (1959, Alfred Hitchcock, 131 minutes)

Of course, any list of best classic movies would be incomplete without at least one movie by the legendary director Alfred Hitchcock. I have watched and loved almost every one of his movies but none surpasses the perfectness of this 1959 thriller about a New York advertising executive who is mistaken for a government agent by a group of foreign spies, and is pursued across the country while he looks for a way to survive and figure out the mystery. North By Northwest never lets you leave your seat even when you are dying to answer nature's call. I watched this movie twice. Both of the times, it reminded me what a perfect movie should be like and how it takes a legend to make a movie this unforgettable.A feast for a spy-thriller lovers like me!

Some honorable mentions (Movies I would have surely included had I not been concerned about the length of the post and had I had enough time) :

1. On The Waterfront (1954)
2. All About Eve (1950)
3. Nights of Cabiria (1957)
4. Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949)
5. It Happened One Night (1934)
6. Double Indemnity (1944)
7. All Quiet On The Western Front (1930)
8. M (1931)
9. Brief Encounter (1945)
10. It's A Wonderful Life (1946)

So what do you think about this list? What are your favorite classic movies? 


Originally published at: http://www.surathgiri.com .Author is one of the co-founders of Onion Films.

second series of "the MOVIE CLUB" with Documentary Maker Gorakh Bista

In the second series of the MOVIE CLUB, this month onion films screened the documentary entitled “Trophy Hunting” by Dir. Gorakh Bista. Trophy Hunting deals with the thrill and challenges experienced by a trophy hunter, this documentary also aims to present the technicalities and regulations related with the trophy hunting at Dhorpatan.  Altogether 40 people participated in this series. In the discussion participant raised questions like;

1.       1.What are the Challenges of making wildlife documentary?

2.       2.Development of Concept, number of crew team while making documentary??

3.     3.  High and low times while making documentary???

At the end of the program Mr. Bista gave some cinematic tips on shooting at high altitude. “the MOVIE CLUB” takes every month of second Tuesday, we encourage every filmmaker to submit their films and documentaries to show case and know how people react on your films. The film must be short in nature. To submit the films plz contact us at 9841842878 or send us email at onionfilmsnepal@gmail.com.    

Onion films concluded workshop in filmmaking

With the vision of creating film literate mass here in Nepal and youth engagement in film making onion films with Entrepreneurs Club of Kathmandu Jointly organized for four days workshop entitled “Workshop in Filmmaking” to make a film is to be alive. All together twelve student form different colleges of Kathmandu participated in the workshop.

In the first day Mr. Manoj Pandit, discussed the basic ideas of film as an art form, emergence and the challenges in the documentary film making.

Similarly on the second and third day respectively Mr. Abhinsh Bikram Shah, shared his insight on basic script writing and works of camera. In his session participant gained hand on knowledge on composition, shot, sequence and scene.

In the last day another film maker Mr. Asim Chitrakar, gave the session on the Editing in filmmaking. Discussion was further carried by how storytelling is effectively present with the editing. Similarly participant put the different concept for the production of two films in the last session called Idea market and currently they are working on pre-production on the selected concept. It is done two in groups, 6 members in each; one of the groups is making film on the issue of Policy that is related with entrepreneurship. Similarly, next group is making film on the issue of Democracy.

The closing ceremony will be formally conducted when these two groups will complete the project.

Film-making Workshop

Overview: This 4-day immersion workshop will teach participants basic film-making skills, Film Appreciation and analysis, Shooting Ethics.

Topics: Includes story selection, planning, writing, camera technique, conceptualize, develop, direct, write script, shoot and edit short films. These technical elements will strengthen the main focus of the workshop: effective storytelling through video. The "hands-on" approach will be emphasized and by the end of the workshop, students will have the opportunity to produce a short film on a topic of their choosing.

Target audience: Arthalaya graduates and as well as the student who are currently enrolled in undergraduate or post graduate program in any faculty. No prior film making experience is required. The workshop will run with a minimum of 10 participants, and a maximum of 12.

Instructors: Manoj Pandit, Abinash Bikram Shah, Asim Chitrakar and Onion films

Where: Freedom House, House no 416 Minbhavan kharibot, Kathmandu, Nepal

When: March 8th – 11th, 2011 (2 hours every day)

Time: 2-4pm

Registration fee: NRS. 500/-

Deadline: March 5, 2011.

To participate, send us email answering why you want to take part on this workshop? (minimum one paragraph)

 Email: onionfilmsnepal@gmail.com

For further information: visit www.onionfilms.blogspot.com or                                 contact Bibhu Gautam (9801077252)

Organized by: Onion films and Entrepreneurs clubs of Kathmandu

Siwakoti’s documentary film “IN 3 YEARS” officially selected at the TNFF

IN 3 YEARS, a documentary-film by Govinda Siwakoti has been officially selected at the Toronto Nepali Film Festival Canada 2011. According to the organizers, this year TNFF received fifty-nine submissions from Canada, Nepal, Serbia, Switzerland, UK and the US. Another six films were forwarded from the 2010 submissions to the jury pool. The TNFF curatorial committee has selected nine extraordinary films, besides IN 3 YEARS are - Forgive! Forget Not!, In Search of the Riyal, Pooja, The Last Race, The Rat Hunters, Sherpas The True Heroes of Mount Everest, The Struggle Within and Vhando.  TNFF is taking place on 12^th March 2011.

In Three Years is an innovative documentary film that centers on the correspondence between Bikash and his father. Bikash is fourteen years old and lives with his two younger siblings, mother, grandmother and relatives in the suburbs of Kathmandu. His father lives in the US and has not returned to Nepal since he left. Bikash has been recording video of himself and his family and sending it to his father for the past three years. Focusing on a suburban middle class Hindu family, the film also brings forth the rapidly changing landscapes as Bikash comes of age. In gist the key point is the effect of foreign migration and the other thing is presentation of contemporary lifestyle, culture and children up-bringing in medium class Hindu family in Kathmandu, Nepal.

About Onion films

Onion Films Nepal is a full-service digital media production company inspired by the passion of bringing stories to life. We undertake audiovisual production, graphic design, photography and visual communication workshops to help organizations and individuals effectively communicate their ideas, work, stories and much more.

We were registered with the company registrar's office under the government of Nepal in December 2013.