White Sun

White Sun is a marvelous film released in 2016, directed by Deepak Rauniyar and features exceptional performances from Dayahang Rai, Asha Magrati, and Rabindra Singh Baniya. This movie is a compelling mixture of exoticism, geopolitics, and personal turmoil that taps into the tumultuous socio-cultural landscape of a country struggling with its roots and modernity.

Set against the backdrop of a post-civil war period in the Himalayan foothills of Nepal, the movie navigates the complexities of political change, traditional customs, and generational conflicts. The cultural disparities, human values, personal vendetta, and societal changes are represented in the multicultural and ethnically diverse environment. This stunning film provides an extensive and thought-provoking visual description of the dynamic clash between the rigid, old ways and political ideologies, and the emerging, modern thoughts in a remote village.

White Sun revolves around the life of anti-regime partisan Chandra, played by Dayahang Rai, who confronts physical, social, and cultural obstacles when he embarks on a complicated journey. His primary motive is to bury his father following traditional rites in the village which is situated on a remote mountain trail. However, the deceased’s last wish presents a unique challenge to Chandra and the entire village, creating internal conflict guided by their rigid, traditional practices. The deceased's wish, impacting everyone's identities and values, transforms a personal journey into a political and social concern.

Asha Magrati delivers a stellar performance as Durga, Chandra’s ex-lover, and Rabindra Singh Baniya plays an integral role as Chandra's brother, an active duty government soldier. It is this trio that the story primarily revolves around, each bearing the heavy load of their intertwining pasts and struggling to navigate the uncertainty of their present. Relations become strained as old allegiances and scars come to the surface due to the arrival of Chandra, raising tensions in the village.

Throughout the movie, it becomes evident that the scars of the decade-long civil war are still palpable, and that the country remains divided along the lines of royalists and Maoists. This conflict between political ideologies becomes a pivotal part of the narrative. Director Rauniyar expertly uses real-life societal issues to hold up a mirror to the ethnic and political tensions that exist in the country, whilst capturing the significant ideological struggles expressively.

Despite the political undertones, the film doesn’t neglect the personal aspect of its characters. We see them struggling with their identities, their relationships, and their place in their rapidly changing society. Durga, trapped in societal norms, trying to assert her independence and Pooja, a young girl desperate to understand her place in this complicated world. All these characters bring to light the deeply ingrained cultural norms and beliefs, the struggle for gender equality, and the value of understanding among generations.

The cinematography is exceptional. Cinematographer Mark O'Fearghail’s camera elegantly captures both the physical beauty of the Himalayas and the emotional journeys of the characters. He cinematically represents the changing dynamics of the characters' lives and the political climate. The visuals are immersive and allow the audience to feel as if they are a part of the narrative, making their journey through the story extremely involved and personable.

The film goes beyond typical storytelling, it is a nightingale of poetic realism, singing songs of familial bonds, personal loss, political uncertainty, and hope in the land of never-ending mountains. Despite the conflict and turmoil, the film aims to underline the need for unity, understanding, and peace in a land that's familiar with, and recovering from, years of bloodshed, inequality, and division.

In conclusion, White Sun is not just a movie, it is a realistic portrayal of a society under transition. The characters, plot, and even the setting create a naturalistic representation of a nation steeped in tradition, yet yearning to embrace modern ideologies. The film is a complex, yet beautifully realistic representation of the dichotomy of Nepalese society, demonstrated through the lives, relationships, and struggles of its characters with brilliant humor, profound depth, and a sense of grounded reality.