Photo for a representation only. Photo credit: Shutterstock
If you want to visit a new nation, it is best to watch a documentary or a movie to get to know more details about what to expect from the place and its people. Watching films before visiting the country as movies say a lot about that particular country. They draw a great picture of the people and places and give the audience a general overview of the place.
Nepal is no different. A lot of movies and documentaries have been shot in Nepal that have shown the country to the world. From telling stories about people from the mountains to showing life in Kathmandu and various other cities across the country, directors, both local and foreign, have done a great job in showcasing things Nepal offers to the world.
Here is a list of such films about Nepal, which are definitely-watch before you plan on visiting Nepal.
Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1971)
Hare Rama Hare Krishna starring the Indian Legendary Actor Dev Anand is an all-time classic that shows Nepal during the hippy era. Shot during the peak hippy era, the film shows how the hippie movement’s drug culture was destroying individuals and families. The movie was a superhit both in Nepal and India as was its song Dum Maro Dum. Shot all over Kathmandu, the movie was a grand celebration. It shows how Nepal was during the hippy era and shows how much the capital city has changed since then.
Little Buddha (1993)
The film starring Hollywood actor Keanu Reeves helped bolster Nepal’s tourism in the mid to late 90s. The movie paints a picture of ancient Nepal and focuses mostly on the life of the Buddha. Shot mostly around the Bhaktapur area, the movie helped bring a lot of tourists to Nepal.
Himalaya (Caravan) (1999)
One of the best films about Nepal, this movie did more than what Little Buddha did. It introduced Nepal’s Himalayas to the world. Set around the untouched region of Dolpa, this was one of the first Nepali films to receive an Academy Award nomination. It shows how a group of people from the rain shadow area of Nepal used to make annual treks with a caravan of yaks to trade salt for grain. The filmmaker Eric Valli used locals of the region for the movie, which makes the movie extra special. Foreigners who come to Nepal to visit Dolpa even today say they have got influenced and come because they watched Himalaya.
The Wildest Dream (2010)
The Wildest Dream is a theatrical-release feature documentary film about the famous adventurer and climber George Mallory who disappeared on Mount Everest with his climbing partner Andrew Irvine in 1924. The film shows life in the mountains and profiles Mallory and Conrad Anker, who discovered Mallory’s body in 1999. In this documentary, Anker tries to climb Everest in the same manner Mallory did in 1924. It is not a movie that portrays specifically about Nepal, but still worth a watch as it displays people the hardship of climbing a mountain.
Katmandu, A Mirror in the Sky (2011)
This Spanish movie paints a real picture of what Nepal is about. It does not show you mountains or temples; it shows you a bitter reality of what Nepal really is. It shows poverty, Nepal’s bleak education system and social discrimination. The movie shows the truth and is a must-watch for anyone who wants to visit Nepal due to Nepal being more than just the mountains.
Everest (2015)
This one is for all the climbers. The movie shows the harsh reality of what it takes to reach the top of the world. It shows the beauty of the Solukhumbu Valley as well as the dangers of climbing a mountain like Everest. Based on Into Thin Air, a book by Jon Krakauer, the movie recounts the 1996 Everest disaster, in which eight people died on their descent from Everest. The movie lacks the nuance that the book provides, but it is still a great watch.
Sherpa (2015)
Sherpa is one of the best films about Nepal, a must-watch for everyone who wants to understand the people who live in the shadow of the mountains. While mainstream movies like Everest have not done justice to the Sherpa community, by Jennifer Peedom. Focused around the life of legendary climber Phurba Tashi Sherpa, the film explores the Sherpa culture and their spiritual relationship with the mountain, as well as the heavy work and risks Sherpas take in making multiple ascents to take equipment and supplies up the mountain and make the climb possible for foreign climbers.
Unchai (2022)
Unchai is a 2022 Bollywood adventure drama film where three aged retired friends embark on a trek to Everest Base Camp to fulfil their fourth dying friend's last wish. A simple trek turns out to be a personal, emotional and spiritual enlightenment journey as they battle their physical limitations and discover the true meaning of freedom. The film was shot in India along with major parts in Nepal's Solukhumbu, Manang regions and Everest region.
Photo credit: Shutterstock
Photo for a representation only. Photo credit: Shutterstock
If you want to visit a new nation, it is best to watch a documentary or a movie to get to know more details about what to expect from the place and its people. Watching films before visiting the country as movies say a lot about that particular country. They draw a great picture of the people and places and give the audience a general overview of the place.
Nepal is no different. A lot of movies and documentaries have been shot in Nepal that have shown the country to the world. From telling stories about people from the mountains to showing life in Kathmandu and various other cities across the country, directors, both local and foreign, have done a great job in showcasing things Nepal offers to the world.
Here is a list of such films about Nepal, which are definitely-watch before you plan on visiting Nepal.
Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1971)
Hare Rama Hare Krishna starring the Indian Legendary Actor Dev Anand is an all-time classic that shows Nepal during the hippy era. Shot during the peak hippy era, the film shows how the hippie movement’s drug culture was destroying individuals and families. The movie was a superhit both in Nepal and India as was its song Dum Maro Dum. Shot all over Kathmandu, the movie was a grand celebration. It shows how Nepal was during the hippy era and shows how much the capital city has changed since then.
Little Buddha (1993)
The film starring Hollywood actor Keanu Reeves helped bolster Nepal’s tourism in the mid to late 90s. The movie paints a picture of ancient Nepal and focuses mostly on the life of the Buddha. Shot mostly around the Bhaktapur area, the movie helped bring a lot of tourists to Nepal.
Himalaya (Caravan) (1999)
One of the best films about Nepal, this movie did more than what Little Buddha did. It introduced Nepal’s Himalayas to the world. Set around the untouched region of Dolpa, this was one of the first Nepali films to receive an Academy Award nomination. It shows how a group of people from the rain shadow area of Nepal used to make annual treks with a caravan of yaks to trade salt for grain. The filmmaker Eric Valli used locals of the region for the movie, which makes the movie extra special. Foreigners who come to Nepal to visit Dolpa even today say they have got influenced and come because they watched Himalaya.
The Wildest Dream (2010)
The Wildest Dream is a theatrical-release feature documentary film about the famous adventurer and climber George Mallory who disappeared on Mount Everest with his climbing partner Andrew Irvine in 1924. The film shows life in the mountains and profiles Mallory and Conrad Anker, who discovered Mallory’s body in 1999. In this documentary, Anker tries to climb Everest in the same manner Mallory did in 1924. It is not a movie that portrays specifically about Nepal, but still worth a watch as it displays people the hardship of climbing a mountain.
Katmandu, A Mirror in the Sky (2011)
This Spanish movie paints a real picture of what Nepal is about. It does not show you mountains or temples; it shows you a bitter reality of what Nepal really is. It shows poverty, Nepal’s bleak education system and social discrimination. The movie shows the truth and is a must-watch for anyone who wants to visit Nepal due to Nepal being more than just the mountains.
Everest (2015)
This one is for all the climbers. The movie shows the harsh reality of what it takes to reach the top of the world. It shows the beauty of the Solukhumbu Valley as well as the dangers of climbing a mountain like Everest. Based on Into Thin Air, a book by Jon Krakauer, the movie recounts the 1996 Everest disaster, in which eight people died on their descent from Everest. The movie lacks the nuance that the book provides, but it is still a great watch.
Sherpa (2015)
Sherpa is one of the best films about Nepal, a must-watch for everyone who wants to understand the people who live in the shadow of the mountains. While mainstream movies like Everest have not done justice to the Sherpa community, by Jennifer Peedom. Focused around the life of legendary climber Phurba Tashi Sherpa, the film explores the Sherpa culture and their spiritual relationship with the mountain, as well as the heavy work and risks Sherpas take in making multiple ascents to take equipment and supplies up the mountain and make the climb possible for foreign climbers.
Unchai (2022)
Unchai is a 2022 Bollywood adventure drama film where three aged retired friends embark on a trek to Everest Base Camp to fulfil their fourth dying friend's last wish. A simple trek turns out to be a personal, emotional and spiritual enlightenment journey as they battle their physical limitations and discover the true meaning of freedom. The film was shot in India along with major parts in Nepal's Solukhumbu, Manang regions and Everest region.
Photo credit: Shutterstock