Nepal Film & Cultural Academy (NFCA) is all set to organise the seventh edition of the Nepal International Film Festival (NIFF) in Kathmandu. The five-day-long NIFF will kick off on March 14. The festival will showcase 88 films from 40 countries at the QFX cinemas.
The films in the festival will be showcased in six categories—World Panorama, Nepal Panorama, DOCS @ NIFF, National Docs, Shorts International and Shorts National. To watch all of the movies featured in the festival can be overwhelming. Therefore, Onlinekhabar has selected 10 movies from the World Panorama category that you should not miss.
Here is a list of 10 must-watch movies from the World Panorama category in the festival.
Buelwa-An Offering (Bhutan)
Directed by Charmi Nemchand Chheda, Buelwa- An Offering is about a traditional and strict Khenpo Tempa, who is sent out of the monastery by the Head Lama (Lopen Rinpoche) to work with the youths.
According to the makers, it is a National Day tribute film, and the core messages are inspired by His Majesty The King of Bhutan’s vision for the country and especially the youth.
Buelwa- An Offering is scheduled for March 16.
Good Autumn, Mommy (China)
Good Autumn, Mommy, directed by Shizhong Chen, depicts the story of the sugarcane farmer Fong-tai whose newborn daughter disappeared without a trace. She embarked on a journey to find her.
According to director Chen, the movie where the newborn baby mysteriously disappeared in the magical rain, provides enough suspense and motivation for the development of the whole story.
The movie is scheduled for March 18.
Remembering Every Night (Japan)
Directed by Yui Kiyohara, Remembering Every Night revolves around the story of three women of different generations who cross paths in a placid satellite city of Tokyo as they excavate the memories of their pasts.
The movie is scheduled for March 14.
Cherry Juice (Germany)
Directed by Mersiha Husagic, the movie quests for the answer to “What is left when the war is over?” Through a wild and unpredictable night in Sarajevo, Selma, a young Bosnian screenwriter, shares an adventurous encounter with a German actor named Niklas.
“What does war leave behind? And how does one deal with the war in the world, to begin with? Through my personal experience with the Bosnian War, these questions drive me to make this film,” says Mersiha Husagic, the director.
The movie is scheduled for March 16.
Koli Esru (Chicken curry) (India)
Koli Esru (Chicken Curry), directed by Champa Shetty, delves into the story of a poor woman who endures significant sacrifices and challenges to fulfil her 10-year-old daughter’s desire for chicken curry. The narrative of this film is set during the 90’s in a small village near Mysore.
The movie has already seen official selections in many International Film Festivals and has garnered many awards.
Koli Esru is scheduled for March 15.
Luto (Ireland and Mexico)
Directed by Andres Arochi Tinajero, this 110-minute-long film explores Damian’s journey across Mexico in a desperate attempt to overcome the grief caused by his girlfriend’s passing. Haunted by memories and regrets, he seeks solace through conversations with strangers, observing the rituals they engage in to cope with death.
The movie is scheduled for March 18.
Lazarus Path (Serbia)
Lazarus Path, directed by Ivan Jovic, revolves around the story of Lazar, who finds himself on a small Mediterranean island after years of travelling as a street artist and motionless sculptor.
The movie further shows how his departure from the island became complicated due to his inability to communicate with the island’s administration.
The movie is scheduled for March 15.
Peafowl (South Korea)
Directed by Sungbin Byun, Peafowl depicts the story of a transgender character Myung. Her family and hometown do not accept her as she is. Hence, she lives in separation. To be accepted once again, all she needs is surgery. However, her only means of earning money for the surgery, winning the Waacking dance competition, does not go as planned.
The movie is scheduled for March 16.
Bhagwan Bharose (India)
Shiladitya Bora is the director of the movie Bhagwan Bharose. It tells the story of two young, impressionable kids whose beliefs in faith are constantly challenged and reshaped as they navigate through their expanding world, which encompasses their country’s rapidly changing socio-political landscape.
The movie is scheduled for March 17.
Wild Swans (India)
Directed by Rajni Basumatary, Wild Swans explores women’s lives in a patriarchal society recovering from decades of armed conflict. This 95-minute-long film is set in the foothills of Bodoland in Northeast India.
The movie had its World Premiere at the Vancouver International Film Festival 2023. It won the Best Film award in the Indian Films category at the Kolkata International Film Festival.
The movie is scheduled for March 15.
