Film Name:
IM/PURE
Directed by:
Anup Thapa
Country of Filming: Nepal
Project Bio:
IM/PURE is a classic horror tale, a multi-cultural fusion of Greek mythology, biblical parable, and Nepali fables. GYAN THAPA has been missing for four days… When he appears back home suddenly his wife CHANDNI is extremely worried. Her husband has been terrified by something supernatural and malicious. Deep within her pure soul, she senses that the thing that has scared him so badly is female. Disturbing flashes of memory come to GYAN, leaving many unanswered questions. What happened to him in those days he now cannot fully remember? Who is the small shadowy male figure? Why does he keep seeing flashes of golden implements… axes and a sickle? How is the large woman with the strange hair involved? And where is SIDHARTHA, the itinerant recluse who has been missing now for several days? Didn’t GYAN just see him? Wasn’t it only yesterday? Golden axes. Could it all have something to do with what happened between GYAN and his younger brother, BIR? The thing that forever put a stain on his soul. Can GYAN put together all the parts of the puzzle? With the help of his friend JYOTI, he begins the search for answers. Somewhere in the bush, near a river, there is a cave. Deep within his impure soul he too knows that it is not natural, that it is evil, and that it is female.
Director Biography – Anup Thapa
Nepali born Now living Brisbane, Australia. Working as a certified Enrolled Nurse and Filmmaking is my passion. Studied Filmmaking in Brisbane, Australia.
1. First of all I would like to congratulate you for your project IM/PURE is getting a huge notice by the film personnels. Seems like you are inspiring them so the festivals are trying to reach out to you. How do you feel about that?
It feels surreal as feel like I am going to wake up anytime soon. on the other hand, I think with the amount of effort respond for this project seems fair for this recognition.
2. What initially attracted you to the field of film production, and how did you get started in the industry?
I have been attracted to the film production since childhood but our Nepalese society and being an eldest son in the family has to focus first to the family then my personal interest. so I move to Australia 2009 after settling my family I manage to study film making and I did in 2017 since then I have been doing short films.
3. As we can see through your film is unique. What made you feel like creating such interesting films? Do you aspire to become a well known person in the filmmaking era?
I love where I grew up with all our own folklore and culture which is a recent invention for westerners so I wanted to add my folklore character with bible characters which made the story unique and entriguing same time I am very emotional person so all those feeling inside the human is normal and I wanted to play with that as well. I enjoyed film by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Dipendra K khanal, Shiva Regmi, Jonathan Demme, Mika Flanagan and James Wan to name a few.
4. What methods do you use to discover potential film projects to produce?
I take a lot of my time in scripting which is the core of good film then focused in characters with the layers after that pre-production would be my main challenge where I spend lots of time so that be easier for production.
5. Have you ever thought of shifting into any other genre? I am sure you will make good films.
I want to make full on Bollywood or South Indian romantic family genre which I grew up watching.
6. Interesting! What strategies do you use for marketing and distribution to ensure a film’s success?
Once I am happy with my scripts, I start approaching actors then finalise it and began my promotion in social platforms so that it create a curiosity among audiences.
7. Can you discuss any specific challenges you’ve encountered in your role as a filmmaker and how you’ve navigated them?
Making a short film here is Australia is not a easy task, as we have to make sure that we have maintain all the protocols and policy then managed the day as per actors as we all work our full time job. I had a situation where one of the main actor have to back out as the production starting next day. I remain calm and focus on positivity which leads me that everything happening for a reasons so I manage to find another actor (thankful for him) then he did a good job in short notice.
8. How do you handle feedback and criticism during the filmmaking process?
Being a full time nurse here feedback and constructive criticism is a part of my job so I have manage to take it professionally and handle with care then try to focus on that part for my next project. Feedback and constructive criticism work like a step to move forward so utilize it in positive manner.
9. What criteria do you consider when selecting film festivals or distribution platforms for your films?
As filmmaking is team work, so, it would be nice to acknowledge all the crew and cast as well.
10. Can you share any upcoming projects or future aspirations as a director?
I am currently focused and almost finalise the scripts for my full fledged project which is focused on the Sister and Brother story titled as “GAINDAKOT 0 KM” , it is a psychological, thriller and social drama genre.