Help us make a Feature Film in Kathmandu (Ek Nagari)

Hi, we’re the team of Ek Nagari!

Ek Nagari is a love letter to Kathmandu and an exploration of what it means to live and survive in the city. As we prepare to bring Ek Nagari to life amidst the rich backdrop of Kathmandu, we are looking for your support to make this vision a reality.

------

This GoFundMe includes all the details of the film and we’ve also linked the Pitch Deck here .

------

Personal Statement from Writer/Director

Hi, I'm Rozway. I was born in Kathmandu and lived there for 19 years of my life. It is an indispensable part of my identity as an artist. Every aspect of my work in film production is influenced by the city and my life within it.

Growing up in the city and even now, I haven’t come across a form of media that truly represents the city from my teen years. I have been a student, an employee, a business owner, an intern, and an artist in the city and have had the privilege of living here in different capacities. Kathmandu is dark, dusty, and deceiving but it’s also energetic, youthful, and bustling. This film is my attempt at capturing the essence of Kathmandu, for the screen, true to the experience of living here.

The funds raised through our crowdfunding campaign will go exclusively towards the production of the film — the cost of equipment, food, crew, and cast in Nepal. A link for a Google Sheet has been added, where the costs can be tracked.

This team is versatile and dynamic, having collaborated on various projects together. We all share a profound passion for this story. While most of us hail from Kathmandu, our team's diversity extends beyond geographical boundaries. The unique perspectives brought forth by those who have lived elsewhere enrich our creative process, infusing it with fresh insights and approaches.

Logline

After being brought back to Kathmandu by his cousin, Adarsh, a recovering addict, must adapt to the vicious ways of the city to help an old friend start anew.

Synopsis and Structure

After losing his parents, Adarsh, a recovering addict, returns to Kathmandu for a fresh start. Yet, amidst the familiar streets, Adarsh finds himself entangled in the city's web of deception, unaware of the shadows lurking within his cousin's influence.

From the cremation site of his parents, Adarsh calls his cousin Saurav, who runs an educational consultancy in Kathmandu, and asks Saurav to help him. Saurav calls him back to Kathmandu and offers him a job. Adarsh’s old friend Lochan, who now works for Saurav’s consultancy, meets him at the bus stop. Adarsh gets a place to stay and is introduced to the consultancy and its ways.

On his first night out in the city, Adarsh runs into old friends and finds himself in the company of Alisha, an old flame. Adarsh learns that Alisha is still struggling with addiction along with now-waning responsibilities to her younger sister who recently got into medical school. Adarsh learns that Alisha wants to leave Nepal to start anew and vows to help her through his new job at the consultancy.

At the consultancy, Adarsh receives discouraging news: sending Alisha to Australia seems next to impossible due to her grades and strict regulations. However, Saurav proposes a bold plan: he'll find a way to send Alisha to Australia by any means necessary if Adarsh agrees to use his family land as collateral for a business loan for the company. With a bit of document manipulation, they could portray Adarsh as an established business person and persuade the bank to grant the loan. Initially hesitant, Adarsh realizes the urgency of Alisha's situation and reluctantly agrees to the risky scheme. This decision grants Adarsh a more prominent position in the consultancy — further propelling his career.

Upon this promotion, Adarsh gets introduced to the elites of the industry and finds himself in the company of people who entice him to dream bigger. Lochan finds himself afraid of how close Saurav grows to Adarsh. The plan unfolds suspiciously smooth and promises are made for the future. But, an unexpected police raid at the consultancy shakes things up.

Ek Nagari follows the journey of a broken individual as they muster the resilience to rebuild their life in the city. Initially impressionable, Adarsh gradually cultivates a determination to forge his path. However, ambition comes with a price and Adarsh, who is still new to the ways of the city, finds himself at the bottom of the food chain. His ascent, though fleeting, thrusts him into the unforgiving reality of urban survival. From here, he has to find his way to will to live.

World and Context

The city of Kathmandu stands as a symbol of Nepal’s identity, its claim historically signifying power since the Middle Ages. Today, this vibrant city continues to draw thousands, each grappling with their pursuit of ownership and belonging.

In the late 90s, a tide of migrants surged into Kathmandu, driven by the waves of the Maoist revolution. This influx transformed the city into a vibrant mosaic of cultures, tongues, and perspectives, infusing its alleys with bustling energy and a kaleidoscope of hopes and dreams. Yet, amidst this swirling sea of humanity, the city found itself grappling with the effects of unanticipated growth, giving rise to challenges still unmet. A big element of the story is Adarsh’s struggle with addiction. In a place where unmonitored drugs are rampant at a cheap price, an escape has been easy to afford. Adarsh decides to get clean when he moves back to where it all started.

In the heart of this urban symphony lies the bustling intersection of Putalisadak, where Ek Nagari unfolds. Here, amidst a cacophony of honking horns and shifting crowds, educational consultancies thrive as gatekeepers to distant horizons, promising the youth of Nepal brighter futures abroad. Yet, beneath the veneer of opportunity lies a shadowy truth, in which the pursuit of profit often eclipses the principles of legality and morality.

Yet, amidst the chaos, Kathmandu retains a youthful vigor and ambition, periodically rejuvenating itself. While challenges persist, the city remains an axis of culture, community, and energy. There’s always something going on in the city, at all times of the day. For, in Kathmandu, the past whispers through the stones of its ancient temples, while the future unfolds with the footsteps of those who dare to dream amidst the chaos.

Storyboards

Adarsh and Lochan take a walk in the city.

Characters share a conversation over morning tea.

Saurav oversees operations at the Consultancy.

At the cremation site of Adarsh's parents.

Adarsh and Lochan on a bike in Kathmandu.

Tone and Style

Ek Nagari draws heavy inspiration from cinematic masterpieces like La Haine and City of God, albeit with a unique narrative lens. While the thematic content diverges from these films, our approach to storytelling echoes their raw and immersive sensibilities. Shot on location in Putalisadak, amidst real consultancies and bustling streets, our film seeks to capture Kathmandu authentically. Embracing a guerrilla filmmaking ethos, we aim to present the city in its unadulterated form, devoid of any biased commentary. There are a host of things that make the essence of Kathmandu — the culture, the history, the festivals, the rush, the roads, the warm nights and the hills. All of this is what makes the world of Ek Nagari.

Echoing the dialogue style of The Meyerowitz Stories, our film features dynamic conversations unfolding simultaneously amidst the backdrop of the city's hustle and bustle. Scenes are set in locales like tea shops, bike rides through the city, and evening strolls, providing an intimate glimpse into the characters' lives. Our characters speak in the slang of Kathmandu, lending authenticity to their interactions. With a naturalistic perspective, we aim to present human experiences against the backdrop of Kathmandu, allowing the city itself to emerge as a central character in our narrative.

Character Descriptions

ADARSH, 24, a tall and lanky figure hailing from Birgunj, finds himself at a crossroads. Initially lured to Kathmandu for education, it is here that he was introduced to Brown Sugar by his circle of friends and life was never the same. After his graduation, he moves back to his hometown, although tragedy quickly strikes with the loss of his parents, propelling him to get clean. Seeking solace and renewal under the wing of his cousin, Saurav, Adarsh returns to Kathmandu. Though timid at the outset, Adarsh embarks on a profound journey of transformation, gradually discovering his inner strength and purpose. While possessing a serene demeanor, he is easily swayed, evolving into a resolute figure as his narrative unfolds

SAURAV, 38, is Adarsh’s cousin and is also from Birgunj. He is strong and looks older than his age. He moved to Kathmandu when he was 12 and over the years he acquired a prominent space in the educational industry of Nepal, having worked in administrative positions in numerous colleges. In 2015, he started his educational consultancy specifically focusing on Australia, and now has a branch in Sydney. His exponential growth has been envied and questioned by many, as he has been involved in numerous scandals throughout the years. He is a hothead with a condescending tone but also a smooth talker when it comes to business. For him, family comes first.

LOCHAN, 24, a native to Kathmandu, shares a longstanding friendship with Adarsh since his early days in the city. Despite his short stature, he maintains a polished appearance, often seen in impeccably tucked-in shirts. Regarded as Saurav's right-hand man, Lochan holds his cousin in high esteem, viewing him as a mentor and elder sibling figure. He harbors a steadfast belief that Saurav will guide him through life's journey. He has the same group of friends as Adarsh, but he has never used. He is fond of Adarsh but Saurav comes in first before anyone. Despite hailing from a well-off family, Lochan maintains a strong sense of self-reliance.

ALISHA, 25, is from Kathmandu and she runs in the same circles as Adarsh and Lochan. Once entangled in a brief romance with Adarsh prior to his departure, she confronts her own demons as this story unfolds. As she navigates the murky waters of substance use, her responsibilities toward her younger sister, Amisha, weigh heavily on her shoulders, forged by a childhood marked by her single father's neglect. Now, with Amisha pursuing medical studies, Alisha's gaze turns toward a brighter horizon, envisaging a future in Australia, as she finally confronts her own aspirations.

The Team

TJ DesChamps is the Director of Photography and Associate Producer for Ek Nagari. He is a Cinematographer and Gaffer who’s past works include Plain Sailing Weather (2024) and Hiraeth (2023). As a New Yorker who has never been to Kathmandu, he brings a fresh perspective to the city. He is looking to create a dynamic visual language, within Ek Nagari, which is true to the city and also has a whiff of something new.

Born in Syangja, Subas Regmi moved to Kathmandu at the age of 16 and has garnered his place in the Nepali Music Industry as a producer and writer. He founded Bindabasini Music in Kathmandu, and has been successfully running the label for 20+ years. In his role as the Executive Producer of Ek Nagari, he offers a unique perspective shaped by the experience of relocating to the bustling metropolis.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Ella Stevens has been producing visual art for as long as she can remember, utilizing diverse media including analog and digital photography, murals, book and print-making, as well as producing short films. As the Executive Producer of Ek Nagari, Ella infuses her craftsmanship with a fresh perspective on Kathmandu.

Born and raised in Kathmandu, Jatin Neupane, has been in the video production world for over five years and has worked for numerous brands, schools and creative agencies. His resilience to bring productions together makes him an invaluable asset as one of the Producers of Ek Nagari.

Praeev Shrestha started off as photographer, but over the years he has produced both photo and video content for numerous brands in Nepal. He comes into his role as the Assistant Camera , with a special eye for composition and color. Praeev brings a unique perspective to the team as someone who’s relatively new to Kathmandu but has dedicated his entire professional life to the city.

Anmol Adhikari moved around a lot as a kid, living in Pokhara for a considerable amount of time. However, Kathmandu has always been home to him. He has been exploring the intersection of art and technology in the professional realm, and as an Assistant Camera his adaptability makes him invaluable to the production of Ek Nagari.

Born and raised in Kathmandu, Rozway has been working professionally for over five years now, making music videos, short films, and commercials. Currently in the Film and TV program at Drexel University as a junior, he infuses his projects with the unique perspective of a Kathmandu native, and, through Ek Nagari, is aiming to authentically capture the raw essence of his beloved city. He's the Writer and Director of Ek Nagari.

Prospective Schedule for Production

Pre-Production Period

(Sep 28 to Oct 19)

Rehearsals, Camera Tests,

Production Period 1

(Oct 20 to Oct 31)

5 Days Break (Nov 1 to Nov 5)

Production Period 2

(November 6 to November 30)

Post-Production

Fine Lock Edit (Dec 1 to Dec 30)

Audio Mix and Color (Jan 1 to Feb 15)

Financial Breakdown here.

Expected Final Completion Date: February 25, 2025

Digital copy of the final film and poster to be delivered to all patrons.

Additionally,

All Patrons who donate over $100, also get

- Producer Credit in the film

- Featured in our Social Media

All Patrons who donate over $500, also get

- Executive Producer Credit

- Limited Edition Posters of the Film

All Patrons who donate over $1000, also get

- Physical Copy of the film

- Early Access to all Ek Nagari-related materials

- Limited Edition Patron Package: Includes T-shirts, Posters, Movie Props.

- Name Featured in all promotional materials

All Patrons who donate over $2,500+, also get

- Invitation to a Special Screening to be hosted by the filmmakers

- A Special Thanks or Product Placement to be included in the movie for any company of the patron’s choice

- Access to direct contact with the filmmakers throughout the process

- Hardcover Book of Stills from Ek Nagari

Some of our previous work is linked here .

Help us bring Ek Nagari into reality!

If you read all the way here, maybe consider donating? :p