Fairytale of Kathmandu

Neasa Ní Chianáin's Fairytale of Kathmandu serves as a cautionary tale for filmmakers who get too close to their subjects. Ní Chianáin met the renowned Gaelic poet Cathal Ó Searcaigh when she was a pre-teen, became a fan of his work, and befriended him when she moved to the north country, intrigued by his interest in Nepal and his openness about his homosexuality. After Ní Chianáin learns that Ó Searcaigh has helped many Nepalese boys, the fiftysomething poet invites her to accompany him to Nepal, where she meets Prem, who has known the Irishman for 10 years. The poet, who considered himself Prem's surrogate father, paid for the orphan's education and helped him to set up a jewelry shop. Before long, other young men attest to the older man's generosity as well, but when Ó Searcaigh takes a 17-year-old to his hotel room, Ní Chianáin suspects other motives. After Ó Searcaigh leaves the country, Ní Chianáin decides to speak with a few of the young men—most of whom hail from rural communities (though none are below the age of consent, age 16 in Nepal) and seem to have little in common with the poet—and they confirm her suspicions of sexual relations. Returning to Ireland, Ní Chianáin confronts her subject in a heated exchange, although Ó Searcaigh denies any wrongdoing—but to the viewer he still comes across as more of a predator than a benefactor. A disturbing portrait, this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (K. Fennessy)