Discovering, Restoring and Disseminating Visual Records of Disappearing Culture
Current Project Areas
Nepal Chariot Festival Film
Lost Light is working to secure post-production support, broadcast opportunities, and theatrical showings for the English version of the documentary film by Kesang Tseten On the Road with the Red God: Macchendranath. The film captures the gritty reality of the spectacular 12-year rath jatra or chariot festival of the deity Rato Machhendranath. The rath jatra is one of the most elaborate chariot festivals surviving in the world today and has been celebrated for more than 1000 years by the indigenous Newar community of the Kathmandu Valley. Shot in 2003, the film explores the complex human interactions that govern the ritual renewal and construction of the unwieldy 35-ton chariot at the heart of the festival, and the chariot’s subsequent journey along an ancient and perilous route thronged by thousands of devotees. Over and above the compelling action, the film also explores the festival as a high-stakes arena of passionate disagreement and negotiation. Participants must reconcile the conflicts arising between tradition and modernity, reaffirm the community’s solidarity in the face of countless obstacles, and protect the well-being of the nation and the cosmic order–which by practice and legend have come to depend on the chariot’s success.