文：許熙瑜︱ Text: Hui Hei-yu Ernest
英譯：彭程顥︱ English Translation: Noel Pang
尼泊爾人，是居於香港的非華人少數族裔之一，本地關於他們的報導，往往都集中討論他們的身份認同、生活困況等。其實有多少人願意踏出第一步去認識他們？
Bipin 拍攝《Don’t JustDream, Do!》(2013)
三年前因為香港藝術中心「影像無國界」計劃而認識了Bipin Bishwokarma。當時身為學生助理的我，第一次有機會與少數族裔青年溝通，並合作製作一條短片。初認識時便了解到他對於影像創作只是剛起步，不論器材等硬件，抑或影像背後的概念，都要靠計劃提供的訓練及藝術家導師（當時是賴恩慈小姐）的指導。
他們製作的短片到最後「轉彎入直路」時，從他和同組少數族裔同學們所展現的熱情、執行力，以及作品的完成度之高，都不難發現其實少數族裔跟我們一樣對藝術、對創作都有自己的要求。最令我感到深刻的是Bipin 的執着，在遞交作品的前一個晚上，當所有組員都已滿意作品而去了睡覺，只有Bipin 不眠不休地修改細節，稱他為完美主義者也不為過！
《Don’t JustDream, Do!》(2013) 劇照
跟他談藝術，清楚記得當時十七歲的Bipin 劈頭第一句是「art does not have a specific form」。他認為拍攝、影像等只是表現方式，製作短片時往往會提出大量問題，並思考其他表達方式會否更佳。他也會運用自己的專長去幫助說故事，例如他與同組同學的作品《Don’t JustDream, Do!》中的一些鏡頭，就用上了他熱愛的跑酷運動（parkour）的能力才能完成。
輾轉三年，位置變換，Bipin 成了今年「影像無國界」的學生助理。與他共進晚餐後發現，一個曾經在拍攝前要去吃「雲桂香」米線的男生，竟然成了純素主義者（vegan）。Bipin 解釋說這其實是一種自我選擇、一種生活方式，他希望可以盡自己的能力去減低人類對動物的消費。儘管他的家人搬出「成長需要」等理由，他也不為所動。他表示，決定了做一件事，只要知道自己正在做甚麼，行動背後有自己相信的理由，就已經足夠。
二十歲就有這份信念，香港可算「買少見少」。可能就因為這份信念，兩年前他更差點連大學學位都打算中途作罷。本來他一心修讀與影像有關的課程，卻深深感到香港的課程設計旨在培訓工作機器，覺得這並非自己想要的教育。雖然掙扎過後，他還是以「用一紙證書向大部分人證明我並非未接受過教育」為理由說服自己完成課程，但已見到他對自己信念的堅持。
Bipin 擔任學生助理指導學員拍攝
晚飯詳談，我發現相比他的外表，改變最多的是他的思想。Bipin 以「life is art」總結我們的對話，可見他有多重視由自身出發去理解這個世界，進而影響他人。分道揚鑣之前，我嘗試用半咸半淡的英文跟他解釋中國人「修身、齊家、治國、平天下」的概念，Bipin 笑笑口說明白。我相信他理解箇中意義，更相信他會嘗試實踐。
Nepalese people are one of the minority population groups in Hong Kong. Local discussions about them tend to revolve around such issues as their identity recognition and living predicament. How many of us are willing to take the first step to understand them?
I met Bipin Bishwokarma in “All About Us” – a video project organised by the Hong Kong Arts Centre – three years ago. It was the first time for me, as a student mentor, to co-create a short film with a group of Nepalese teenagers. Upon our encounter, I understood Bipin was a beginner in video production. An arts instructor – Lai Yan-chi by then – was therefore required to provide trainings on equipment knowledge and concepts behind images, etc.
I was impressed, at the final phase of their project, by the passion and executive ability displayed by Bipin and his fellow ethnic minority school mates, as well as the level of completion of their work. It is not hard to notice they had their own expectation for art and their creation as much as us. What struck me most was the insistence Bipin had. Before the date of submitting, he spent the whole night without sleeping to fine tune their work, while all his fellow partners were satisfied and went to bed.
I have a vivid memory of the first comment he voiced out on art when he was 17, that “art does not have a specific form”. He believed such elements as video shooting and images are but forms of expression. In the process of production, he would raise a number of questions, and contemplated on alternative and improved ways of expression. Moreover, he would utilise his specialised skills to help tell his story. In Don’t Just Dream, Do! – the project he finished with his fellow schoolmates – certain shots could not be completed without the ability he gained by playing his favourite sports, Parkour.
Three years passed and our positions have changed. Bipin took part in this year’s “All About Us” as a student mentor. He told me that he had gone vegan, which was hard for me to believe as he once insisted on visiting his favourite restaurant before shooting a scene. He explained that it is a choice of his own and a way of life. He hopes to reduce human’s consumption over animals as much as he can. His family, who tried to convince him not to turn vegan with reasons like “the need of growth”, failed to make him change his mind. He stated that, in order to take action, the only thing one is necessary to know is what you are doing and the motivation behind.
It is rare to see someone with such firm beliefs at the age of 20 in our city. But such altitude may have its downside. He almost quitted university two years ago. With the intention to take videorelated courses, he was disappointed by the syllabus whichover-emphasised vocational training. He struggled and finally convinced himself to complete the programme since he hoped the certificate could serve as a proof of “being educated” to others. What a persevering soul that is!
From our conversation, I noticed that, comparing with his countenance, what changes most is his ways of thinking. He concluded our dialogue with the statement “Life is art”, which shows his strong emphasis on understanding the world from his perspective, and furthermore, on influencing people. Before parting, I attempted to explain to him in Canto-English, the Chinese Confucius saying of “cultivating oneself, keeping one’s family in order, running the country well and bringing peace to the world”. He said he understood with a smile. I believe he truly does, and will practise them in real life.