WHO WILL BE A GURKHA
A film by Kesang Tseten
75 min / 2012 / Nepal, UK, Norway, Finland
27 Nov 2014, 7 p.m. sharp
Everest Talkies, Frazer Town
Open to delegates only. Passes available at venue.
Synopsis:
Britain began recruiting Nepalis 200 years ago. Gurkhas, famous for wielding a curved khukuri knife, have seen numerous wars. 200,000 fought in two world wars; 50,000 were killed.
Gurkha income and pension, though meager, has helped prop Nepal’s economy. Today, paid manifold times better, Nepalis continue to be lured to the British Army, undergoing grueling tests to win the very few positions available.
Recruitment, carried out with meticulous British planning in the lush lakeside town of Pokhara, presents an elaborate modern-day ritual born in the days of Empire, offering a fascinating view of institutions and societies, officers and applicants, British and Nepali.
Festivals and awards:
Official selection for Feature Length Documentary at IDFA 2012
Official Selection Thessaloniki Documentary Festival
Official Selection Eurodocs, Oslo
Winner, International Category, Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival 2012
Winner, Audience Award, Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival 2012
75 min / 2012 / Nepal, UK, Norway, Finland
27 Nov 2014, 7 p.m. sharp
Everest Talkies, Frazer Town
Open to delegates only. Passes available at venue.
Synopsis:
Britain began recruiting Nepalis 200 years ago. Gurkhas, famous for wielding a curved khukuri knife, have seen numerous wars. 200,000 fought in two world wars; 50,000 were killed.
Gurkha income and pension, though meager, has helped prop Nepal’s economy. Today, paid manifold times better, Nepalis continue to be lured to the British Army, undergoing grueling tests to win the very few positions available.
Recruitment, carried out with meticulous British planning in the lush lakeside town of Pokhara, presents an elaborate modern-day ritual born in the days of Empire, offering a fascinating view of institutions and societies, officers and applicants, British and Nepali.
Festivals and awards:
Official selection for Feature Length Documentary at IDFA 2012
Official Selection Thessaloniki Documentary Festival
Official Selection Eurodocs, Oslo
Winner, International Category, Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival 2012
Winner, Audience Award, Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival 2012