Soongava: Dance of the Orchids
Movie Details:
| Original title | Soongava |
| Country | Nepal |
| Language | Nepali |
| Genres | Drama, Romance |
| Release date | 4 January 2012 |
| Running time | 1hr 25min |
| Starring | Saugat Malla Deeya Maskey |
| Directed by | Subarna Thapa |
| Written by | Subarna Thapa |
| Produced by | Raphaël Berdugo Virginie Lacombe Subarna Thapa |
| Cinematography by | Sara Cornu |
| Edited by | Sylvie Gadmer |
| Music by | Sylvain Morizet |
| Costume Design by | Mandira Nakarmi |
| Production Company | Rapsodie Production Cité Films |
| Distributor | Eye Core Films (Nepal)(theatrical) Tamasa Distribution (France)(theatrical) |
Cast & Characters:
- Saugat Malla as Milan
- Deeya Maskey as Diya
- Nisha Adhikari as Kiran
Storyline:
The film centers on Diya, an independent and strong-willed 22-year-old woman who is training to be a traditional Nepalese dancer. As she navigates her passion for dance, she forms a deep and escalating friendship with Kiran, another dance pupil. Their relationship develops into a romantic bond that challenges societal norms and expectations.
Diya comes from a conservative family, and her parents are eager to arrange her marriage to a suitable man. This creates tension as Diya grapples with her feelings for Kiran while facing the pressure to conform to traditional societal roles. The film poignantly explores themes of love, identity, and the struggle for acceptance in a conservative society.
About Movie:
Soongava: Dance of the Orchids (Nepali: सुनगाभा) is a Nepali drama film written and directed by Subarna Thapa. It is notable for being Nepal’s first film to focus on a lesbian relationship, marking a significant moment in the representation of LGBTQ+ themes in Nepali cinema.
Despite its mixed critical reception, Soongava is recognized for breaking ground in Nepali cinema by addressing LGBTQ+ themes openly. It has sparked discussions about representation and the challenges faced by queer individuals in Nepalese society. The film’s release marked an important step towards greater visibility for LGBTQ+ narratives in Nepalese media.