Filmmaker propels Nepali runner onto foreign stage

He says Nepal has to work more toward gender equality.

"However, as long as my film can touch the hearts of some Nepali women, and call for more people to do something meaningful, it is enough," he says.

"I have talked with many Nepali women, and they have been encouraged by my film. Some of them long to be the next Mira and they have taken some practical action to change their lifestyle," he says.

Belcher, who has been living in Hong Kong since he was very young, was a runner himself, completing difficult mountain races including the Dragon's Back Race in 2015 (322 kilometers across Wales) and the Ultra Trail Mount Fuji (161 kilometers, in Japan).

"Running is an integral part of my life. Thanks to my running skills developed over a long time, I can get control of the camera and capture quality images in motion under pressure," says Belcher.

When asked if he would shoot a film about a Chinese runner, Belcher says he has considered it, but has yet to find the right story so far. He plans to keep searching.

"I will not yield to any principles or rules. Factors including business cooperation, the lure of money or market response will get in the way of my filmmaking. Making film is a pure thing and I am enjoying it," he says.

"Shooting a film is a two-way information-exchange process. I can convey what I want to my audience, and I can also gain something beneficial from the people I have interacted with during the process."

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