Digicosm TV on 02 July at 16:37Report abuse

Digicosm TV congratulates filmmaker Stephan Kern and his documentary A BRIDGE TO THE MADI for winning the War Of Films competition for June 2010. Below are some thoughts from Stephan about making the documentary:

As a film-maker I’m often approached by people with a great idea for my next film. My response is always the same- go away and don’t come back until you’ve written the script, then I’ll make the film. To date, only one person has taken me up on that challenge, and I’m truly grateful he did.

John Mellowship is a remarkable man, a social anthropologist who has spent many years in Nepal working to build schools in Kathmandu and to improve the lives of many in the remote regions. Just 6 months after I challenged him, he returned with a script and I agreed to produce it.

The purpose of A bridge to the Madi, was to raise awareness (and money), for the people of the Ghosari in the Madi region of Nepal. It also tells the remarkable story of Shobha Nepali, an outcast and orphan from the Ghosari, who won an AusAid scholarship to study nursing at Flinders University in South Australia, and then returned home to help her people.

Making the film itself was quite an experience. We arrived in the stifling heat of pre-monsoon. I’d never been t o a place like it- the crush of people, the maze of streets, the noise, the food and the daily chaos. I stayed at a local hotel well away from the tourist areas while we waited for our crew to organise our journey to the remote Madi. John filled this time by educating me on the social and religious ways of this Hindu Kingdom. Nepal is a great place that I’d recommend everyone visits before MacDonalds arrives.

The full-length video covers our journey down and shows the heat of the jungle, 45C and incredible humidity. The seven days we spent down there were tough for that reason. Only 120km by air from Kathmadu, our first stop Bharatpur felt remote enough- from there our long slow journey into the jungle and across the mighty rivers on unmade roads really emphasised this. There is a shot I took from the bridge over the Rau River. Its a man herding cattle on a 40x zoom and really looks amazing. I was also really happy I managed to capture the lightning during the storm. And there are a whole lot of other stunning images too as we visit villages, schools and finally the Ghosari. On the way back from the Ghosari I shot a whole lot of footage like that running alongside the truck with my camera- it took me 4 litres of purified water and two hours for my body to recover after!

It was an amazing experience, and the subject matter was so compelling, the film almost shot itself. I was lucky to work with such a great crew and to go places and see things I know not many outsiders get to see. I really think that why so many people enjoy this film, that it tells a simple story about real people in a place very unlike our own. Its fun, its friendly, its moving and its human. Of all the great projects I’ve worked on, this film will always hold a special meaning for me.

The film online is only a ten minute version, the full length version is available for purchase through john mellowship (). It’s well worth a look, and every cent raised is used to help the wonderful people of Nepal.

Watch A BRIDGE TO THE MADI on Digicosm TV.

ujjawal prakash on 03 May at 08:52Report abuse

what i will tell about this film is nothing,i can only tell you that please see this movie and gain some knowledge.

ujjawal prakash on 03 May at 08:48Report abuse

this is very good film and i have seen this 3 times,and i suggest you also to see this film and earn some knowledge.