Kathmandu Metropolitan Mayor Balendra Shah, affectionately known as Balen, has returned to the bustling city after his notable participation in the esteemed Cannes Film Festival. Shah graced the red carpet at the premiere of 'Megalapolis,' directed by the renowned filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, on May 3, before returning home on Tuesday.
Mayor Balen's presence at the Cannes red carpet was a significant moment. Invited by Cannes Mayor David Lisnard, Shah, along with management consultant Kumar Vyanjankar and infrastructure consultant Sunil Lamsal, journeyed to France on May 1 to witness the screening of Coppola's long-anticipated project, 'Megalapolis.' The film intertwines the narrative of the mayor within its science fiction realm, envisioning the future of New York City and the challenges faced by an architect striving to rebuild it, hindered by a corrupt mayor.
This year, Kathmandu Metropolis earned UNESCO's recognition as a Creative Film City, leading to Mayor Shah's invitation to the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, an event also endorsed by UNESCO as one of the creative cities of film. Reflecting on the experience, Vyanjankar shared insights into Cannes' transformative impact on the city, highlighting its global resonance and the convergence of international luminaries.
During the premiere of 'Megalapolis,' Mayor Shah encountered Bollywood icon Aishwarya Rai Bachchan on the illustrious red carpet. Besides attending the premiere, Shah partook in exclusive events, engaging in discussions about urban prominence through cinematic portrayal. Inspired by Cannes' grandeur, Shah envisions organizing a similar film festival in Kathmandu, laying the groundwork for a 'Kathmandu Film Board' and fostering connections between Nepali cinema and the global stage.
While acknowledging the ambitious endeavor, Vyanjankar emphasized the gradual approach, suggesting a timeframe of 5 to 7 years for such a festival to materialize fully. He underscored plans for facilitating international film productions in Nepal, aligning with government initiatives to attract Hollywood and Bollywood projects.
Despite missed opportunities, such as the Cannes showcase of 'The Seamless,' which extensively featured Nepal's scenic locales, filmmakers remain optimistic about Mayor Shah's impact on the industry's recognition. Director Avinash Bikram Shah and others anticipate Mayor Shah's advocacy to bolster Nepali filmmakers' presence on the international stage, echoing sentiments for strategic planning and collaboration to amplify Nepal's cinematic footprint.
As discussions pivot towards the future, there's a consensus among industry stakeholders that Mayor Shah's Cannes experience should catalyze concerted efforts to elevate Nepal's film industry, propelling it onto the global stage with purposeful initiatives and strategic alliances.
