Two feature films made by local artists from Dang are on display at the Airavat Picture House between May 15 to 22.
Airavat Picture House is a micro cinema/film centre set up by Docskool as a hub to promote young and lesser recognised filmmakers.
Directed by Bishal Roka Magar, ‘The Ritual (54 mins)’ and ‘Ihiri (70 mins)’ present peculiar stories of Kham magar community from Dang and Rolpa.
Very few films made outside Kathmandu are shown at mainstream cinema if any. Yet cinema made in different languages by local artists is not a new phenomenon to Nepal’s cinema practice. These films are often under represented and rarely find avenues to meet audiences beyond limited shows in their communities.
Of the two being being shown, ‘The Ritual’ was previously presented at Bhaktapur Film Festival and Kathmandu Horror Film festival both in 2025. ‘The Ritual’ plays on the thriller, social drama sub-genre with a plotline depicting Jhankri pratices peculiar to Kham Magar community.
The other film, ‘Ihiri’ is being shown for the first time to select audiences.
A premiere screening of the film was held on the May 14 bringing together several filmmakers and culture workers. ‘Ihiri’ which was in production for almost a decade was made entirely through local casting and majority creatives from Rolpa. The film follows a hunt patrol gone awry in a typical remote Kham Magar community.
‘The Cinema’s of Dang’ will be shown daily from 4:30 pm between May 15 and 22. Seat reservation can be done via docskool.org.np/cinema.
Tickets are Rs300 for two films and Rs200 for one show.
Airavat Picture House also offers memberships that give new filmmakers access to film equipment, editing setups, and a cinema book/DVD library.
The Cinema’s of Dang
When: Until May 22 Where: Airavat Picture House, Thapathali Time: From 4:30 pm
24.12°C Kathmandu
