Hulhevi in the Himalaya

Hulhevi Media has a special relationship with Nepal. We've shot two of our productions in the Nepal Himalaya, Himalayan Dreams (2006) and the four part TV series Maldivians on Mountains (2010). Himalayan Dreams and an earlier documentary Unbelievable Realities (2003) have both been officially selected at international film festivals in Nepal. In continuing with the trend 75 percent of the Hulhevi Team were in Nepal in the New Year trekking in the Langtan Gosaikund area. This is Shaari's first visit to Nepal, the Himalaya, and an altitude of over 4,000 metres. Here in the pic he and Narcu, who trekked to Kala Pattar in 2009, pause to catch their breath in the beautiful alpine forest above Dunche. They were joined on the trek by Al, who is currently living in Nepal. Hulhevi is exploring joint productions with Nepali filmmakers, including one on global warming which may be causing sea-level rise in the Maldives and glacial melting in the Himalaya.

Geveshi Hiyaa, on YouTube

Hulhevi Media, in collaboration with UNFPA and NGOs and individuals working against domestic violence, are pleased to announce our latest addition to the public service music videos that represent our work so well.

Geveshi Hiyaa (now on Youtube), shot on Bilehdhoo, is a short music video that looks at domestic violence and follows in the tradition of our earlier works Heyva Heyva, Vehey Iru, and Thedhekey Thedhekey.

The music video was screened to launch the Thinakun Ekeh (One in Three) anti-domestic violence campaign on 25 November, the international day for the elimination of violence against women. The campaign takes its name from the groundbreaking 2007 study which revealed that 1 in 3 Maldivian women aged 15-49 experience physical or sexual abuse at least once in their lifetime. Police and IGMH records confirm that violence against women is highly prevalent in the Maldives, ranging from the sexual abuse of underaged girls to severe beating and violent gang rape.

Hulhevi Media is working with the Thinakun Ekeh campaign to draw attention to the issue and to lobby policy makers to come up with good legislation to combat violence against women.

New music video huvafen

Hulhevi Media are working on a new music video Huvafen, featuring newcomer Mode and dancer Sama. Shot on location on Hulhumale the song is a tribute to epic romantic stories in the tradition of Dhon Hiyala and Alifulhu, the Maldives answer to Romeo and Juliet.

Most of the shooting is done and we only have a few hours of work left, just waiting for a sunny day now!

Maldivians on Mountains concludes this Thursday

HulhevMEDIA has just finished filming presenter Mariyam Waheeda (pic) for the fourth and final episode of Maldivians on Mountains, to air this Thursday on TVM.

Narcu and Al enjoyed working with the TVM team, especially Mari, Naanu, and Bokittey.

New Maldivians on Mountains trailer

Episode 1 of Maldivians on Mountains has aired on TVM and Youth TV, making many people want to go on the famed Everest trek in the Nepal Himalaya.

The trek consists of three main challenges: Kala Pattar (5,600m) the highest point to climb; Cho La Pass (5,368m), a difficult, slippery mountain pass; and Gokyo Ri (5,463m) above the beautiful Gokyo lake.

In the image, Freddy and Narcu are halfway up Kala Pattar, roughly at around the location where the Nepali cabinet held a meeting to draw the world's attention to the issue of glacial melting. Mount Everest, the black mountain peeping in the background, reveals itself in the background as you climb Kala Pattar.

Not everyone is able to complete all three challenges, as Maldivians on Mountains shows.

Click here to catch the latest YouTube trailer.

Maldivians on Mountains airs on Thursdays at 2200 hours on TVM.

Maldivians on Mountains screened for sponsors

TVM today screened a preview of Maldivians on Mountains for representatives of major businesses and potential sponsors now have three days to confirm sponsorship of the series, which starts airing this Thursday at 2200 hours.

The invitees seemed to enjoy the preview and one of them even asked Narcu to act in a commercial!

We're hopeful they'll support the broadcast of Maldivians on Mountains, so that we can continue to make films like these.

Mariyam Waheeda to host Maldivians on Mountains

Top TV presenter Mariyam Waheeda will host Maldivians on Mountains, the first episode of which will be aired at 2200 hours on 15 July 2010. Check out the latest trailer featuring Mari here.

The four-part series, our first collaboration with TVM, is in the last stages of pre-production. Ahmed Nasheed of Zero Degree Atoll has composed an excellent score for the series, his best for Hulhevi Media so far, according to Narcu.