Acclaimed Nepalese filmmakerDeepak Rauniyarhas wrapped principal photography on his next feature “Rajagunj” (“The Sky is Mine”).
The film is also one of nine projects to receive funding from the Norwegian Film Institute’s Sorfond. It received NOK625,000 ($57,600).
Rauniyar’s first feature, “Highway,” premiered at the 2012 Berlinale and played Locarno, while his sophomore feature “White Sun” (2016) won awards at the Venice, Palm Springs, Fribourg and Singapore festivals. He is also a Berlinale Talents alumnus saw and short film “Four Nights” play at Berlinale Shorts in 2022.
Written by Rauniyar, David Barker and Asha Magrati, “The Sky is Mine” examines the caste system endemic to South Asia, where there is great emphasis on skin color. The film follows Pooja, a light-skinned Nepali police officer, who has broken centuries-old misogyny by becoming the first female detective in the country. She comes across her first case in a violent border town. While tens of thousands are in the streets protesting systemic discrimination against the dark-skinned Madhesi, two light-skinned boys have been kidnapped with an impossible ransom demand. Pooja has only 48 hours to save the boys and very few clues. A tough, no-nonsense cop, she is forced to seek help from Mamata, an outspoken, feminine, dark-skinned Madhesi policewoman who seems to sympathize with the protests. With dozens of civilians and police officers already killed, failure to find the boys could spark a revolution.
“‘The Sky is Mine offers a poignant portrait of contemporary Nepal on the brink of change, an inside perspective into the struggles faced by marginalized communities such as Madhesis. The jury was hooked by the script, highlighting strong women in the lead characters. Using the detective genre proves to be a judicious choice for tackling sensitive social issues, such as racism, in a more impactful manner, targeting wider audiences, both in Nepal and abroad,” said the Sorfond jury.
“White Sun” star Magrati, who is Rauniyar’s wife and frequent collaborator, plays Pooja. Miss Nepal 2017 Nitika Chandakplays Mamata. The picture has also cast Nepali cinema superstar Dayahang Rai (Toronto, Busan title “A Road to a Village.”)
The film’s producers are Magrati, Ram Babu Gurungand Alan R. Milliganand production companies are Aadi Films (U.S,. Nepal), Nepal’s Baasuri Films Production and TannhauserGate (Norway).
“The film is loosely based on a real case and inspired by my experiences and those of Asha Magrati and explores colorism, caste and gender discrimination,” Rauniyar said. “We wrapped up the shoot three days early, on my birthday –the most amazing birthday gift that I could have ever hoped for. This film is my best yet and I can’t wait to share it with everyone.”
Gurung, who recently produced Nepalese hit “Jaari,” added: “I have been friends with Deepak since our early days as filmmakers. I am so excited to finally be working with him. This film will be a landmark for Nepali cinema, and I am glad that this will increase the portfolio of Baasuri films.”
Milligan, whose credits include Cannes prize-winner “Rams” and Venice-winning “Flapping in the Middle of Nowhere,” said: “I am so excited this film is reaching its completion. It’s been a long journey, but the story is so important, and the filmmakers are so dedicated, that it was only a question of time. I’m proud to be able to support Deepak, Asha and the rest of the team on this adventure and now look forward to hearing and seeing the audience respond to this very Nepali global story.”
