Watch Manakamana

Manakamana is a 2013 Nepalese documentary film directed by Stephanie Spray and Pacho Velez. The film was co-produced by Tsering Rhitar Sherpa, Amber Fares, and the Film Study Center at Harvard University. The film is set entirely inside a cable car that travels between two villages in Nepal. Manakamana Temple is a famous Hindu temple located on a hilltop in the Gorkha district of Nepal. It is said that the temple is the wish-fulfilling goddess and people from all over Nepal and India come here to offer their prayers.

The film crew has mounted a camera in the front of the cable car and filmed the passengers who come and go. There is no commentary or narrative, just a visual experience of the travels of a varied group of people. The camera captures different people, such as a group of old women talking about their memories, a young couple exchanging a few words, a herd of goats, a mother and her son, and a man carrying a crate of live chickens.

The film captures people of different backgrounds and ages, with different experiences of riding the cable car. Some of them are visiting the temple for the first time, while others are regular travelers who have made the journey many times before.

While the film does not have a storyline or a particular message, it does offer a unique look into the lives of people from rural Nepal. The cable car ride provides a fascinating window into their daily lives, as they break free from their regular routines and embark on a journey to visit the holy shrine. The camera captures the beauty of the green hills and the vibrant colors of the passengers' clothing, as well as the sounds of the wind and the birds that pass by.

The movie, with its slow pace and subtle narrative, might not be suitable for all, but for those who like to observe and appreciate different cultures and rituals, it is a unique and engrossing experience. The filmmakers have managed to capture the essence of the journey, and the simple pleasures that come with it.

The film's score is minimalistic, with only the sound of the cable car's engine and the conversations of the passengers providing the sound design. This minimalist approach adds to the naturalistic feel of the film, making it feel more like a silent movie.

Manakamana is not a film for those who expect a traditional narrative structure or a clear message. It is, however, an excellent work of observational filmmaking, offering viewers an immersive experience of a journey that others take every day.

In summary, Manakamana is a 2013 Nepalese documentary that takes place in a cable car between two villages in Nepal. There is no commentary or narrative, but there is a range of passengers from different ages and backgrounds travelling to the Manakamana Temple. The movie is an observational film that gives an immersive experience of a journey that others take every day. The film's score is minimalistic, and the sound follows the natural sounds of the cable car engine and passengers' conversations. Manakamana is an excellent work of observational filmmaking that captures the simple pleasures that accompany a journey.

Manakamana is a 2014 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 58 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5 and a MetaScore of 86.