Meet Nirupam Dhakal

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nirupam Dhakal.

Nirupam, before we jump into specific questions about your work, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
A filmmaker would be the last thing I wanted to be. Where I come from, making films is for the rich, for those who have “no real aim to be successful”. That’s what I was taught. And I think that was the reason why I always wanted to be a doctor. I loved the idea of calling myself a ‘doctor’.

In Nepal, I spent six months trying to achieve my goal to become a doctor but I was just a bad student. I wouldn’t pass any of my tests. Was it because I was stupid? No, it was simply because I didn’t want to be one. I think I self-sabotaged myself subconsciously all those months. It wasn’t until I had failed my fourth big test when I told my parent I didn’t want to do this and wanted to be a filmmaker, a storyteller. And surprisingly, my parents were very open to that.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I wanted to come to LA because what’s better than making movies in the entertainment capital of the US. Hollywood was a dream but it was harder to achieve. I got accepted into film school pretty quick but it was getting here that was a problem. My visa was turning out to be a pain and it did get rejected. I think it was around that time when things started getting dark for me, I slipped into depression. But I feel like my sister, my parents, and my aunt was my pillar of strength, they helped me get back on my foot and the proof is in the pudding, I am here in LA, doing what I love.

The first few months in LA was hard. I lived in this sketchy motel which I felt like came straight out of a horror show. Away from my family, all alone in this foreign land, it was more than a culture shock. I had a hard time adjusting but it wasn’t until a few months later when I found my people, my collaborators and my mentors. They pushed me to be better, pushed me to believe in myself and most importantly, pushed me to create.

I have been part of countless short movies, student films, music videos and web series. Working on these pieces of art has not only been a learning experience but also self-fulfilling. I see myself getting near my goals with each passing day.

Please tell us more about your work.
I grew up watching horror movies. Our family movie night consisted of Evil Dead, Halloween among others. And I think that’s what drew me into making horror movies. It started with some writing prompts and it grew into something bigger.

So far, I have directed two short films. I am also a production designer/ Art Director and have worked as one for countless movies. The first short I directed was called “Together Forever’ and it dealt with a mother dealing with the loss of her child. That film was selected for The Los Angeles Live Score Film Festival. Similarly, my second short called “First Time” is available on YouTube and is about two friends returning home after a party.

I feel like the horror genre is one of the most underappreciated genre. When people think of horror, they immediately think of it as something demeaning but my goal is to show how amazing and cinematic horror can be, I like to think that the horror movies I make are not just something you watch and forget, these are some cinematic pieces that linger with you days after you watch it.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I think success is subjective. For me, success means making something that people talk about years after they watch it or making something that people still remember eons after I am dead. For me success isn’t just making lots of money, earning a celebrity status. I will be happy if I make a small movie which people remember lovingly and still get excited to watch years later.

A few months back, I went to this screening of the 70s classic movie Suspiria. When I got there, I saw this small queue of people lined up to watch the movie, lined up to get their posters signed. That really made me happy and I want something like that. That’s a success for me. Years after when my movie plays again, I want people to get excited. I want people to talk about it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpC69_NkZTRI45u-0VvWwWw
• Email: nyrupamdhakal@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ohmygoddannydevito/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehorrornerd
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/nirupam_dhakal

Image Credit:
Helena Cortazar, Max Woods, Myles Williamson

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