Official Selection
Bulbul
Nepal I 116 mins I Drama I 2019 I Nepali w/ English subtitles
Ranakala is sustaining her life as a tempo driver in Kathmandu. She lives in limbo, waiting for news of her husband who ventured abroad six years ago and has neither visited nor sent funds, leaving Ranakala to care for her paralyzed father-in-law and their daughter. Yet increasingly, she cannot ignore her own unfulfilled desires for companionship.
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In the midst of these disappointments, Chopendra, 29, makes an entrance. He helps her get passengers and makes her laugh with his easy wit. The two grow close and, despite her reservations, love blooms.
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And yet, a strange ambiguity hangs over their new life. Can Ranakala and Chopendra's dreams flourish in these conditions? BULBUL is a unique and engaging modern love story, made with humor, style, and a welcome focus on women's working and private lives. These qualities and more earned it a place as Nepal's official submission for the 92nd Academy Awards.
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+ This program includes short film, THE LAST RIGHTS
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VIRTUAL SCREENING + Q&A
SUN. APRIL 18 - 7:30PM CT
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About the Artist
Binod Paudel was born in 1978 in Kapilbastu, Nepal. He is Nepal-based filmmaker and one of the pioneers of the academic study of film-making in Nepal. He wrote the critically acclaimed SAANGHURO, a social drama focusing on the struggles of a newly married couple, which received numerous awards including the National Award (Nepal) and the SAARC Film Festival Best Fiction - Jury Award.
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Combining documentary aesthetics with narrative acumen and an understanding of international distribution, Binod focuses on developing new, accessible stories that connect South Asia to the world.
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He was recently honored with the 2019 National Award for Best Director. BULBUL is his feature debut.
Trailer
Thank you to our community partners for this screening, The South Asia Institute at UT- Austin and the Austin Film Commission and the Austin Film Society!
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Credits
Cast
WASTIMA KHADKA
MUKUN BHUSAL
JOES PANDEY
LAXMI BARDEWA
DIPAK CHHETRI
UJWAL ADHIKARI
ALINA KARKI
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Additional Vocals & Music
Vocal: RAJINA RIMAL
NISCHAL BASNET
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Music: KOSHISH CHHETRI
UDGAM PARIYAR
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Arrangement: UDGAM PARIYAR
UDAY RAJ PAUDEL
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Lyrics: KOSHISH CHHETRI
MANIKALA PAUDEL
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Publicity Team
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Publicity Design: UJJWAL SHRESTHA
Logo Design: SUSHIL SAURABH
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Writer/Director: BINOD PAUDEL
Producer(s): PRALHAD THAPA (ABEERAL)
BHIM THAPA
RAJU PAUDEL
JOES PANDAY
PURUSHOTTAM PANDAY
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Cinematographer: SUSHAN PRAJAPATI
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Sound Design/Mix: UTTAM NEUPANE
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Executive Producer: RAMRAJA DAHAL
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Chief Asst. Director: BIBEK LAMA
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Asst. Directors: BISHAL DOTEL
PRABIN PURKOTI
SUJATA GURUNG
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Prod. Manager: GAGAN SHRESTHA
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Make-up: BIKRAM THAPA
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Colourist: RAJENDRA MOKTAN
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