Burning Topics From South Asia Explored in Venice Gap-Financing Market Trio

variety.com:

Naman Ramachandran A trio of international co-productions from South Asia that are participating at the Venice Production Bridge’s gap-financing market are exploring burning topics from the region.

From Nepal, Abinash Bikram Shah, whose short “Lori” (2022) won a special mention at Cannes and who previously co-wrote Venice winner “The Black Hen” (2015), is prepping his feature directorial debut “Elephants in the Fog.” Set in a small Nepalese village nestled in the heart of a forest populated by wild elephants, the film follows Pirati, the matriarch of a community of transgender women.

She aspires to a normal life with Master, the man she loves. But when one of her wards disappears, she must choose between love and responsibility to her community.

The film is produced by Anup Poudel for Underground Talkies Nepal. It is co-produced by Justin Pechberty and Damien Megherbi for France’s Les Valseurs (Venice 2023 title “Heartless”) and Michael Henrichs for Germany’s Die Gesellschaft DGS (2019 Venice winner “You Will Die at 20”). “Elephants in the Fog” is based on a true-life incident where one of Poudel’s friends, a trans woman, disappeared and was later found murdered. “While discussions mainly revolved around her transgender identity, it was not utilized as a means to examine the societal marginalization that played a role in the crime.