I am Gaumaya Gurung, a Nepali actor and optometrist based in London.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background in filmmaking? What inspired you to pursue a career in the film industry?
My previous works include the commercially acclaimed "Kabaddi 4: The Final Match (2022)", where I was nominated for the 'Best Debut Actress' by Nepal Film Technicians Association (NEFTA), the Nepal National Film Awards winning "1915: Legend of Gurkhas (2022)", and BBC's "Black Narcissus (2020)" - Winner of the ReFrame Stamp, IMDbPro Top 200 Most Popular TV Titles in 2020-2021.
My upcoming films include "The Sky is Mine (2024)“, by Deepak Rauniyar, recipient of the Berlinale VFF Talent Highlights Award in 2020.
Growing up in Nepal, it was rare to see indigenous artists who looked like me on screen, which left me to question whether stories from ethnic communities were worthy to be shared on the 'big screen'. However, following my late introduction to world cinema - particularly to brilliant Iranian, Korean and Nepali indigenous artists and filmmakers, I also wanted to contribute and share stories that were close to home. I found acting as a medium to do so.
Whilst on this journey, I would like the younger generations to feel represented and empowered to also share their stories.
What does being part of Berlinale Talents mean to you? Is there something about the city that resonates with your creative process?
To be associated with Berlinale Talents is a prestigious honour. To be part of a global community of filmmakers and family of alumnis - from whom I can learn, draw inspiration, and creatively explore is a dream come true.
When I think of Berlin, I think of how the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 shaped the world we live in. How the city symbolises people coming together, a home to the finest writers and poets. I look forward to networking, meeting fellow artists and broadening my creative horizon.
How do you balance expressing your unique voice and creating something that can be recognised globally?
I try to find balance by staying true to myself, my roots and life experiences. Whenever possible, I travel and take a key interest in different cultures, norms and communities. With time and experience, I have lately realised we are all looking for the same things - to belong, to be happy and safe and the divide is human made. The voice that particularly resonates with me is the identity crisis that a migrant goes through - the search for home and a sense of belonging. With the current global affairs, the yearn to belong to a community is universal.
How does this year’s theme, "Common Tongues: Speaking Out in the Language of Cinema", resonate with your work and creative process?
Although art is abstract and open to interpretation - being a minority immigrant in London, little is written about us, so I have struggled to find work as an actor. In Nepal, although the film industry is slowly changing, more stories on indigenous people needs to come out. 'Speaking out in the Language of Cinema' means staying true and sharing stories of struggles & acclaims from the marginalised communities, which I represent and hold dearly. This year's theme is very timely and hits home.