WASHINGTON DC: A documentary titled ‘Tattooed Trucks of Nepal – Horn Please’, is releasing after few weeks.
The documentary, filmed and produced by American documentary-maker Ron Ranson, features the story of a truck driver’s journey on Nepal’s rough roads. It tells the story of truck, an important means of transport and the road travel 57 years back in Nepal.
The documentary has likewise illustrated and compared what is called in Nepal as ‘truck literature’ and the decorative art used on trucks with the country’s culture. It has also incorporated the colourful lifestyle, experience and behaviour of the truck drivers who have to often negotiate narrow bends and rough routes in course of their journey.
By ‘truck literature’ is meant the verses or lines written on the truck that speak of love and life.
This documentary’s making draws on the director Ranson’s own experience of travelling on the back of a truck from Kathmandu to Narayangadh of Chitwan 57 years ago. He was 23 years old at that time and the film has knit together the varied stories of road travel in Nepal as well as the multi-dimensional cultural aspects of Nepal. It also gives a glimpse to the social and economic milieu of that time.
Through this film Ranson has realistically portrayed the daily life of the truck drivers and their helpers and the situation back then.
The American’s connection with Nepal and his growing love for Nepal is equally fascinating. Ranson, who teaches art and drama in the U.S. first time, came to Nepal as a Peace Corps volunteer in 1964.
He has expressed his profound happiness on making this documentary. He describes it as an important achievement of his life which reconnects him with Nepal.
According to him, the documentary to be released in few weeks would be screened in various film festivals. He said efforts would also be made so that it can be shown during air travel in collaboration with airlines.
Documentary team:
Director– Ron Ranson
Director of Photographer, Interviewer Historian – Sudarson Karki (Kathmandu) [email protected]
Co-producer and Co Writer – Nicola Ranson [email protected]
Film Editors – J j Measer & Holden Sisco (The two fabulous young editors who helped bring a visual expression to the story)
Film Crew (in Nepal) – Ken Kebow, Dhawa Gyanjen Tsumba, Dylan Kebow Topgyas Lama
Computer and Research Assistance – Jaskirat Singh Chahal (London)
Illustrations – Polly Bagnall (London)
Color Artist – Don Kelsen ( Los Angeles)
Graphic Designer – Leigh Mahon (San Diego)
Music – Shyam Nepali
Music Development – Kailash Raj Pandey
Roshil Paudyal, Lotte lama
