Filming Permits in Nepal | Marco Polo, the film that was never made

To ensure one's memory endures, write down your experiences. Marco Polo wasn't the sole merchant journeying from the Venetian empire to Kublai Khan's enigmatic orient in 13th century China, but he distinguished himself by documenting the expedition. Accompanying his father and uncle, Marco left an indelible mark on the Mongol rulers, captivated by his novelty. After 24 years, he returned to Venice laden with treasures, including noodles, purportedly introducing pasta to Italy.

While imprisoned, a twist of fate led Marco Polo's literate cellmate, Rustichello da Pisa, to pen down their tales. Initially ridiculed for their implausible nature, Marco's extravagant stories, known as 'Il Milione,' ultimately became the best-selling "Travels of Marco Polo," offering Europeans a glimpse of Asia's wonders and the grandeur of the Mongol court.

The Silk Road Marco traversed didn't lead him to Nepal; instead, he ventured far north through Kashgar and the unforgiving Takla Makan desert to ancient Beijing. Nepal, guarded by the Himalayas and the Tarai wetlands, held exquisite stone carvings from the golden Licchavi era.

Filming Permits in Nepal

Before my Nepal visit, a chance encounter led me to join a British film team researching a Marco Polo movie. Amidst cigarette smoke in a Kensington basement, we planned the journey in 1973. Despite the project's eventual funding shortfall, our exploratory team completed its own adventure, funded by Alexander Macmillan, equipped with Landrovers from race driver Graham Hill, and aided by writer Jan Morris.

During this escapade, I had Iran and Turkey as our territory, accompanied by Daniel Topolski, a writer, photographer, and rowing champion, along with his girlfriend Victoria. With them, I ventured through Persepolis, Yazd, Mount Ararat's haze, and Trabzon's hanging monasteries. We lived modestly, traversed the Valley of the Assassins and Elburz mountains, tracing caravan routes until reaching Mashhad on the Soviet Afghanistan border.

Source : https://nepalitimes.com/opinion/so-far-so-good/marco-polo-the-film-that-was-never-made