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Imagine a film that doesn't shower you with political propaganda, but instead transports you to a mystical land where time and space take on a meditative quality. That's just what "Manakamana" offers. Released in 2013, this daring documentary directed by Stephanie Spray and Pacho Velez immerses you in the lives of pilgrims traveling to the sacred Manakamana Temple in Nepal. The directors, associated with Harvard's Sensory Ethnography Lab, aimed to capture the authentic human experiences of individuals from varying social backgrounds and age groups as they journey in a cable car to make wishes at the temple. Unlike what we often see in mainstream cinema, this film avoids preachy narratives or forced diversity, focusing on real human experiences rather than overblown societal issues.
The film's structure is refreshingly simple. It consists of just eleven shots, all lasting about ten minutes each (the duration of a trip to the temple in the cable car). The camera transforms into an impartial witness, capturing everything from the smallest expressions of nervous anticipation to profound spiritual contemplation. Its straightforward approach may horrify those who thrive on constant narrative hand-holding. Instead, it presents life unadorned, much like a timeless painting to be interpreted by the viewer.
What you'll find fascinating — or frustrating, depending on your cinematic expectations — is the film's commitment to reality. There is no soundtrack, no artificial narrative structure, and no overbearing voice telling you how to feel. It's raw cinema, unfiltered and beautifully organic. In an era where CGI and excessive cut scenes reign supreme, "Manakamana" allows real life to unfold in its purest form. Such genuine portrayal may not sit well with those who prefer their "reality" churned through the Hollywood machine.
Cinematic documentaries often deceive by masquerading agendas as art. Not "Manakamana" though. This documentary lends its audience the freedom to think and experience without the burden of being told how. It is a different breed that defies the norm, building an authentic portrayal of rural life in Nepal, skillfully layered with glimpses of cultural richness. This approach is undoubtedly valuable, a far cry from the "edited reality" that infest so many films, where authenticity is sacrificed for dramatized narratives spiked with politically loaded messages.
"Manakamana" also brings with it a mixed bag of travelers. The directors capture the unique blend of personalities – from local villagers to tourists, old women steeped in tradition to curious, ambitious youth – all united by the spiritual pilgrimage to Manakamana Temple. Each traveler brings their own thoughts and expectations to the journey, providing a real-life exploration of human diversity — the kind that isn’t engineered to fit a particular socio-political narrative.
The film succeeds without relying on digital distractions, heavy dialogue, or a monotonous soundtrack, instead allowing for dead silence and unabated noise of the cable car to fill the auditory space. In a world dominated by fast-paced narratives and high-paced stimuli, the film's simplicity speaks volumes. It dares to let moments linger, giving viewers the room to breathe and reflect, something we could all use in today's rush to nowhere.
This isn't to say it's an easy film to digest; the pace is deliberate, and its lack of a scripted path may puzzle those trained by the ongoing churn of frantic cinematic offerings. Yet, for those willing to pause and experience an unadorned reality, it provides a breath of fresh cinematic air scented with genuine human connection. It prioritizes natural beauty and truth over cheap entertainment, proving there's still value in the uncomplicated contemplation of life as it is.
In this noisy world where every screen screams at you to 'pick a side', "Manakamana" stands as a quiet giant. It reflects the richness of cultures and traditions without an overt attempt to commercialize them for mass consumption. Its strength lies in its grounding in reality - a cinematic treasure for those unafraid of genuine exploration, and a wakeup call for narratives that have lost touch with the real world.
Real art doesn't need to beg for attention or validation. Voluntarily choosing raw cinematic experiences such as "Manakamana" may be what's required to reset the general fixation on frivolous distractions. There's something inherently valuable about art that doesn't lecture but quietly invites contemplation. As the camera just listens, we as the audience are also given the rare opportunity to just watch without being sidetracked by mightier-than-thou cinematic lessons.
It's important to treasure films like "Manakamana". They are rare gems that allow us to reflect rather than react. Here, cinema unites us, not divides, cuts through the noise, and reconnects us with the overlooked simplicity of life. In its profound quietness, "Manakamana" embodies what true storytelling is – an unbiased portrait of humanity, as seen through the journey of a lifetime.