Nepal, Norway

89’, 2015

DIRECTED BY

Frode Storaas, Dipesh Kharel

PRODUCED BY

University Museum of Bergen, Norway, and Media Help Line, Nepal

SCRIPTWRITER

Frode Storaas, Dipesh Kharel

CINEMATOGRAPHER

Frode Storaas, Dipesh Khare

EDITED BY

Frode Storaas, Dipesh Kharel

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In the Okharbot village in Western Nepal, a few persons still know the age-old traditional practise of mining, smelting and casting copper. Copper has a number of symbolic meanings and economic aspects associated with exchange and healing propreties, as well the Hindu god Shiva. The complex caste system of Nepal, although abolished, still structures the lives of most people. The untouchable smiths, the Kami, produce one of the purest metals in Hindu cosmology. The film follows Ujir, the foreman, who guides the processes of mining and smelting. During smelting, the festival of Dassain is organized. The festival is part of the social and cultural context of traditional copper processing shown in the film.