Kagbeni
This 2008 film loosely based on W W Jacob’s 1902 horror story The Monkey’s Paw is perhaps best known as the first successful non-mainstream Nepali movie. Krishna returns from Malaysia and is reunited with his childhood friend, Ramesh. Their lives forever change after receiving a talisman with tantric powers from a sadhu. After this, the story becomes a drama that unfolds at two levels: the real and the occult. Bhusan Dahal's directorial debut stars Saugat Malla, Deeya Maskey, Nima Rumba, Hanif Mohammed and Pooja Gurung.
Kalo Pothi: The Black Hen
This 2015 drama takes place in Mugu district during the Maoist conflict. Two boys Prakash and Kiran, belonging to different castes raise a hen together, but when it disappears they start a perilous journey. They are caught in the crossfire of the insurgency, unaware of the atrocities that lie ahead. Kalo Pothi is the first Nepali film to be screened at the Venice Film Festival. The cast includes Khadka Raj Nepali, Sukraj Rokaya, Jit Bahadur Malla, Benisha Hamal, Hansa Khadka and Bipin Karki. Directed by Min Bahadur Bham.
Prakash
Set in the post-monarchy Jumla, Prakash follow the titular character played by Pradeep Khadka, a poor labourer who dreams of becoming a teacher in a government school. It is also a story of his mother Sita portrayed by Diya Maskey who is still searching for her missing husband. The film expertly depicts the struggle borne out of political change, the life of Jumlelis in one of the most neglected parts of Nepal and class difference. Debutant Renu Yogi also does a fair job in this film directed by Dinesh Raut.
