Kathmandu, June 10 -- Around a small, flickering screen projecting a Rajesh Hamal film, an entire village gathers, but none look more alive with excitement than Gyan.

Film references tend to slip into his everyday speech and even homework, to the extent of evoking his teacher's frustration. Yet, cinema is only a gateway to his visceral passion. The tactile and creative world of carpentry fascinates him above all else.

Coming from the makers of 'Purna Bahadur Ko Sarangi', one of the highest-grossing works in Nepali cinema, 'Roll No. 1' makes a piercing commentary on societal structures, educational systems, authoritative parenting and the fragility of child psychology.

The film's emotional anchor drops during a routine village screening...