Struggle against censorship in Nepali cinema
Summary
Nepali filmmaker highlights the ongoing struggle against censorship that stifles realism in films, calling for respect for freedom of expression and artistic honesty to enable the growth of Nepali cinema and democracy.
Key Points
- Filmmaker recounts a two-year battle to release the film 'Gaja Baja', which faced censorship due to its realistic and political content.
- Authorities impose strict censorship measures including muted dialogues, edited scenes, and warnings against media interaction for films portraying societal realities.
- There is a double standard where violent and commercial films face less censorship than politically and socially realistic films.
- The article advocates for greater creative freedom in Nepali cinema and links censorship issues to broader limitations on public expression in Nepal.
- The filmmaker expresses hope in the younger generation's openness to socially challenging films and calls for respect for freedom of speech as guaranteed by the constitution.
