Highway becomes 1st Nepali commercial film ever to be screened in mainstream cinemas in Australia

The Nepali feature film Highway by Director Deepak Rauniyar and Executive Producers Sameer and Lonim Dixit, and Mita Hosali, has created history by becoming the first Nepali film to be screened in mainstream theatres in Australia alongside popular Australian and Hollywood films.

Co-produced by New York-based Louverture Films, headed by Danny Glover and Joslyn Barnes, and with technical expertise from well-known names in the film world, this is a story grounded in Nepal. “Numafung” directed by Nabin Subba is the only other Nepali film to have been shown in theatres outside Nepal, in few places in Europe, but never in Australia.

Highway is scheduled to screen in Greater Union Cinema chain and Event Cinemas in Melbourne and Sydney respectively from 6 September.

The film has made a splash on the international stage, with a world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival, and with screenings at the Osian (New Delhi) Film Festival and the Montreal Film Festival.

Highway had its Nepal premiere in July 2012. Mixed reviews made it one of the most discussed Nepali films of all time- both in print and social media. One viewer described it as a “social fresco” of Nepal today; others paid homage to the film-maker for daring to tackle modern, post-conflict, globalizing Nepal and to touch on marginalized groups and taboo topics.

The film addresses an issue that is alive and familiar to Nepali audiences – the bandha (strike) culture. Through the quintessential mode of travelling in Nepal, a bus journey, it unveils issues being confronted in contemporary Nepali society through ordinary people’s lives and interactions.

USA-wide theatre release is planned shortly through the American film distribution company- Film Sales Co. nepalnews.com