Production House
Ferry Tale Pictures is brought to life by a coalition of artistic and business professionals. United by a shared vision, our independent motion picture production company is dedicated to the craft of producing standout independent films that captivate and inspire audiences. The upcoming motion picture project ‘Jaar’ is set against the rich tapestry of history unfolding a cinematic journey through a period drama, intricately woven with the threads of authenticity, passion, and conflict.
Indra Bahadur Rai
‘Jaar’ is a cinematic adaptation of the cherished short story by the acclaimed writer Indra Bahadur Rai. As the first recipient of the Sahitya Academy Award in 1977, and honored with the Jagadamba Shree Puraskar and the Agam Singh Giri Smriti Puraskar, Rai’s narrative resonates with the cultural richness and literary prowess he is known for.
The film brings to life the profound aesthetics of Rai’s work, reflecting his significant role in revolutionizing Nepali literature and his pivotal efforts in achieving constitutional recognition for the language in India. It preserves the essence of Rai’s story, showcasing the literary heritage on screen. ‘Jaar’ is more than a film; it is a tribute to a literary giant of the language and a journey through the history and ethos of its people worldwide.
The Project
Set against the rich tapestry of history, ‘Jaar’ unfolds as a cinematic journey through a period drama. Crafted by Ferry Tale Pictures, this motion picture bridges cinematic cultures by featuring a cast of illustrious actors and non-actors from Darjeeling, Sikkim, and Nepal, elevating its allure and promising a diverse, far-reaching appeal. The screenplay and movie is directed by Phurba Tshering Lama and produced by Ferry Tale Pictures; Co-produced by Hope Reels, LA-7 Shorts, Baral Studios and Kiwa Production. The Project is supported by IPR Department, Government Of Sikkim, on the behest of the Honourable Chief Minister’s initiative to support regional cinema.
Project History
Indra Bahadur Rai, a stalwart of modern Nepali literature, is widely studied in academic institutions across India and Nepal, with his stories reaching global audiences through English translations. ‘Jaar’ resonated profoundly with director Phurba Lama, inspiring frequent revisits. After Rai’s passing in 2019, amid screenplay development, Rai’s heirs graciously granted Ferry Tale Pictures the rights to adapt the timeless story, paving the way for ‘Jaar’s cinematic journey. After penning a script that was poignant and timeless, a serendipitous encounter with cinephile Anita Dey during a Varanasi workshop led to her backing the film with a significant portion of the budget. This boost, coupled with a formal agreement and a financial kick-start, propelled Ferry Tale Pictures to commence the production of ‘Jaar’. As the saying goes, ‘Rest is history!’
Background of the Story
In Nepalese society, a ‘Jaar’ refers to a man who engages in an illicit or secret affair with another man’s wife. This violation of marital fidelity was addressed sternly in historical Nepal, particularly during the reign of Jung Bahadur Rana (1846-1877), Prime Minister, and Commander-in-Chief and Shree Teen Maharajah of Palpa and Lumjung in Nepal. He proclaimed that the wronged husband had the right to behead the guilty party. Hence, the concept had legal status in Nepal’s 1854 national code. Our story takes place in 1890, thirteen years after the death of Prime Minister Jung Bahadur Rana.
Director’s Statement
The screenplay, rooted in the original short story’s rich narrative, presents the challenge of translating its layered complexities into film. It delves into themes of land, lineage, and the delicate ties of people to their origins, demanding a sensitive approach. It captures the essence of the Nepali experience, portraying the human dichotomy of being both rooted and rootless, a duality spanning two centuries of history.
‘Jaar’ intricately depicts the Nepali life through a family’s migration, offering a profound understanding of their social identity. The tradition of ‘miteni’ exemplifies this, transcending societal bounds to unite individuals as kin, a sacred bond that becomes a poignant conflict for the central lovers, set against the weight of tradition and societal norms.
Producer’s Statement
The script of Jaar, as narrated to me for the first time by Mr. Phurba Lama, instantly made me believe that it was the stuff that would make for a great cinema. Being an ardent enthusiast of good cinema, I was fascinated by the visual and cinematic potential held by the script. I was all the happier that Mr. Lama – who has proven himself as an adroit filmmaker was going to give life to this thrilling and fascinating story.
In the stagnant and uninspired Nepali film industry, Mr. Lama is one of the few among the younger generation of film-makers, who are experimenting with newer styles and techniques of story-telling and trying to reach a global audience with their skill and dexterity. At the same time, filmmakers like Mr. Lama are also using the medium to engage with and hold a mirror up to society through the use of realism in their films.
The script of Jaar is adapted from a Nepali short story. Though written many years ago, the story holds as much relevance in today’s Nepalese society, as it did at the time of its writing. The peculiar social elements of Nepalese society like caste, hierarchy, gender, and class status are integral to the script as is the way of life and livelihoods in Nepal which have not undergone major transformation in the years following the publication of this story.
Sadly, however, such scripts as Jaar fail to garner the attention of producers and financiers in an industry characterized by commercial slapsticks or stories involving larger-than-life characters or sizzling music and dance numbers. Making an offbeat film like Jaar is therefore an uphill task for filmmakers in this industry, merely for lack of enough finances.
Therefore, I decided to back this project financially not just because of the potential of its script, but also because it is being directed by Mr. Lama, whose passion and dedication towards his craft I am only too familiar with, not to mention his artistic and technical acumen to do justice to any project that he takes up.
– Mrs. Anita Dey
(Co-producer)
