A masterly portrayal of death and dying
While we in Kathmandu are lucky to have the likes of the Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival (KIMFF), Film South Asia, and a host of foreign language film festivals, what we do miss are mainstream and art house English language films. British films in particular. While the American superhero movies are all very entertaining, they lack a certain through-provoking quality for those who want a bit more than just an hour and a half of swashbuckling adventure.
‘That Good Night’ ticks all the boxes: entertaining, yes definitely; thought provoking, yes, we will talk about this movie for weeks; great actors, some might argue one of best actors ever, and certainly time well spent.
The basic story line of That Good Night is one of a 70-plus-year-old suffering from a terminal illness. Before he dies he has two aims: to be reconciled with his estranged son and to make his passing as easy as possible for his younger wife. He is a member of an exclusive and expensive euthanasia organization, which he hires to send him painlessly and quickly into ‘that good night’. What makes this film particularly poignant and tenderly watchable is the main character played by Sir John Hurt, who himself died of a terminal illness at the age of 77 in January 2017, shortly after the film was shot.
Released in May 2018, the film received mixed reviews. No one can fault the acting of Golden Globe and BAFTA Award winning Hurt, especially as it was his final role, and one that mirrored his own imminent death. But some critics were quick to pick holes in the weak story line and the abilities of the other actors. For me, just your average film buff, the movie was a gentle and visually stunning production in contemplation of both the quality of life, and whether we should have a choice in the time and method of our death.
For those who do not know, John Hurt was a British actor whose career spanned over 50 years, with award-worthy performances in ‘A Man for All Seasons’ (1966), ‘The Naked Civil Servant’ (1975), ‘Midnight Express’ (1979) and ‘Alien’ (1979), among others. Playing alongside him in That Good Night is Charles Dance, another veteran of British cinema who readers might recognize from ‘Game of Thrones’ where he plays Tywin Lannister. In That Good Night Dance he plays the almost ethereal representative of the euthanasia organization, someone who is only seen by Hurt’s character, and leaves us wondering if he really does exist at all, or is he a figment of imagination. Swedish actress Sofia Helin plays Hurt’s younger wife and brings a sense of summer sun, stylish fashion, and sensuality into the proceedings, which is paralleled by the glorious Portuguese setting.
Without giving too much away, Hurt’s character has called his son to his home in order to reconcile their differences before he dies. Unfortunately, things do not go according to plan, mainly because of the father’s grouchiness and bad behavior towards his son’s girlfriend. Having failed in this, Hurt takes the decision to go ahead with his assisted death anyway. This too fails. He feels he has been cheated out of his death and out of the money he paid, but Charles Dance’s character claims this is because he does not believe Hurt truly wants to die just yet. Sure enough, as things progress, Hurt gets a chance to live out another few months in happiness with his family before he goes into ‘that good night’
Talking sex and reproductive health with “Mero Lagi”
Conversations about sexual and reproductive health is still awkward between Nepali parents and children even, in Kathmandu. There have been traditional methods of information dissemination through television, radio, flyers, booklets and pamphlets. However, with the advent of mobile phones and social media, one of the modern ways to get correct information about sex and reproductive health could be through mobile applications. “Mero Lagi”, translated as “For Me” in English, is one such android mobile app that aims to provide a platform to receive and share information anonymously on sexual and reproductive health.
One of the app developers Anuroop Manandhar says that apps are a better way for such information dissemination as information can be regularly updated and new information added easily. Though there already are health-related apps for physical activities and on menstrual calendars, apps on sexual and reproductive health are limited on a global level. Manandhar reasons that new technology has not been fully utilized because of “lack of understanding among health professionals and health policy makers about the technology. Only IT engineers cannot make health related apps as they will not have enough knowledge on health issues.” Another reason is “slow acceptance of technology by health professionals”.
Such apps are more required now since youth population in Nepal are having more ‘unsafe sex,’ sex without condoms and drinking before sex according to the study named “Premarital Sex Behaviors among College Youths of Kathmandu, Nepal” done in 2013. This study also found that one-fifth of college youth had premarital sex. So, information about correct sexual and reproductive health and consent while engaging in sex is paramount.
The developers wanted to create an app which provided information to youth and adolescents. So, with the support from the department of health services, this app was developed by a team of medical and public health experts from Public Health Concern Trust- Nepal (phect-NEPAL). The developers also worked closely with team of John Hopkins University and NHEICC (Nepal Heath Education Information and Communication Center)
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Though this app was initially intended for people between 15-24, Manandhar reveals they have received queries from married and old people too, making them realize that such an app is actually required for people of all ages. Launched in March 2017, this app is available in both English and Nepali. It features quizzes, myth-busters, stories corner, health center information, scientific links and information about relationships, contraceptives and sexually-transmitted diseases among others.
Even though updates have been made to the app many times since its launch, there are still things that developers think would help make the app better. Rolina Dhital, who had worked as a consultant for app development on behalf of phect-NEPAL and is one of the architects of the app, says that the contents of the app can be accessed online only and suggestions to have access to them offline have been made by users. They have also not been able to answer the questions in the app recently due to limited human resources. But they plan to upgrade the app and keep addressing questions despite the challenges. Manandhar adds that to address these problems, support from government, donors, health policy makers and health professionals is required.
He notes that not only people from urban centers but also from rural areas should be able to access services from such apps. Dhital acknowledges that more quizzes, myth-busters and updated information is required as suggested by many of its users. “We have not been able to keep up with the new updates so that needs to be improved,” she says. She also reveals that when the app was being developed, other organizations such as United Nations Population Fund and GIZ had developed an app called “Khulduli” addressing the same issue. She hopes that more such apps come up the coming days.
As this app had been developed through a grant and thus, could not be commercialized, she hopes that “up-coming entrepreneurs develop similar apps with the option of monetization so that the app is self-sustainable.” She emphasizes that the target population must be kept in mind while developing such apps.
Now you too can be a multi-millionaire
Want to be a multi-millionaire? You would certainly be one if you give 15 correct answers in a row. With the slogan of Jaba gyaan jhalkinchha, taba bhagya talkinchha (‘When your knowledge shows, your luck improves’), the soon-to-be-broadcast show on AP1 HD Television, “Ko Bancha Crorepati”, will give you this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
After the scintillating success of singing reality show ‘Nepal Idol’ and dancing reality show ‘Boogie Woogie’ AP1 HD Television is starting, from the second week of November, the Nepali version of the world famous television reality show ‘Who wants to be a Millionaire’.
The show, with Coca Cola as its title sponsor, will be hosted by popular actor Rajesh Hamal. The banking sponsor is Civil Bank, with other sponsors being Hero, Indica Hair Color, Baltra Home Electronics, Suit That Fits, Education Park and Enchanteur. Actor Amitabh Bachchan, host of Indian version of the international franchise ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’, sent a video message expressing his happiness at the show’s launch in Nepal.
Actor Hamal informed that as this is an international level show, specific criteria need to be met. He added that he will try hosting it in an original Nepali way. As he has to present for an audience with Nepali taste by adding some Nepali flavor, he said this would be both an opportunity as well as a challenge. He also expressed his hope that the show would boost Nepalis unity and identity. Managing Director of Annapurna Media Network Laxmi Prasad Paudyal said that this show would not only be entertaining and knowledgeable for Nepali viewers but also offer a great chance to them to earn lucrative cash prizes.
CEO of SRBN Media, the production company of “Ko Bancha Crorepati”, Bipin Acharya, informed that the first question will be for Rs 1,000. The prize amount will keep increasing, leading to the last question worth Rs 10 million. According to him, the questions’ worth would increase in the manner: Rs 1,000, then Rs 2,000, Rs 3,000, Rs 5,000, Rs 10,000, Rs 20,000, Rs 40,000, Rs 80,000 and then the prize money will keep doubling with successive question leading to the last one worth Rs 10 million. There will be 14 steps to the last question and each participant will get three life-lines.
Program Director Suresh Paudel informed that the show will be broadcast every Saturday, Sunday and Monday between 8:30 pm and 9:30 pm. He promised that the show would be made inclusive with respect to age, gender and geography.
Nepali play wins many hearts in Bangladesh
Bangladeshis got a rare taste of Nepali culture and heritage with the screening of the play “Naugedi” at the BHUMIZ International Theater Festival at Panchagarh District in northern part of Bangladesh. The play won the hearts of even those who did not understand Nepali. The audience clapped at the end of every scene. Encouraged by the positive energy of the audience, Nepali actors did really well on stage. The play showcases Nuwakot’s yearly Dupcheswor Mela and the lives surrounding it. Puru Lamsal, who penned and directed the play, says there is a belief that if you visit this Mela you will be blessed with good luck. Childless couples would be blessed with a child, couples’ love would be successful and those who are single would find a good life-partner. And the play revolves around this belief. Lamsal adds that the play also deals with the issues of untouchability and sex trafficking.
The eight-day festival from October 9-16 had featured plays from Nepal, India and Bangladesh.
