Archive of films Travellers and Magicians / Travellers and Magicians
Bhutan
2003, 107 min
Section:
Forum of Independents - Competition
Year: 2004
A Buddhist road-movie from contemporary Bhutan directed by a real Buddhist lama (the director of the popular film The Cup) combines ancient legend with a humorous look at today’s world, in a charming and unforgettable way.
Synopsis
Set amid the pristine beauty of the tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, our story follows the footsteps of Dondup, a young government officer from the city stationed in a rural outpost. He is convinced that leaving Bhutan for the western world will satisfy all that he craves. When opportunity knocks, it comes with a deadline. Dondup seizes the moment, lies to his senior officer, throws his suitcase out the window and hastily departs — unfortunately a touch too late. He misses his bus and, to his dismay, is left stranded on the road with two other travellers heading in the same direction — a Buddhist monk and a simple apple seller. To pass the night away the monk begins to tell the tale of Tashi, a lazy student of sorcery who also dreams of distant ‘greener pastures’. This buddhist road-movie from contemporary Bhutan, directed by a Buddhist lama (director of the popular film The Cup), combines ancient legend with a humorous look at today’s world, in a charming and unforgettable way.
About the director
Khyentse Norbu (b. 1961) a.k.a. His Eminence Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche, is one of the most important incarnate lamas in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Khyentse Norbu was born in a remote area of eastern Bhutan to a family of poets and yogis. He was recognized at the age of seven as the third incarnation of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, the non-sectarian saint, scholar and principal lama of Dzongsar Monastery in Tibet. Raised in strict Buddhist monasteries, Norbu’s first encounter with film was as a 19-year-old monk. He continued his Buddhist studies, but his interest in film never wavered. Later on he worked as a consultant on Bernardo Bertolucci’s Little Buddha. Inspired by its producer Jeremy Thomas, he enrolled in a four-week course at the New York Film Academy. In 1999, his first full-length film, The Cup (Phörpa), became an international success. When not making films, he teaches Buddhist philosophy throughout Asia, North and South America, Europe and Australia.
Contacts
HanWay Films
8 Basing Street, W11 1ET, London
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 207 290 0750
E-mail: [email protected]
www: www.hanwayfilms.com
About the film
Color, 35 mm
| Section: | Forum of Independents - Competition |
|---|---|
| Director: | Khyentse Norbu |
| Screenplay: | Khyentse Norbu |
| Dir. of Photography: | Alan Kozlowski |
| Editor: | John Scott, Lisa Anne Morris |
| Producer: | Mal Watson |
| Production: | Prayer Flag Pictures, koprodukce / co-production: Hanway Films |
| Cast: | Tshewang Dendup, Sonam Lhamo, Lhakpa Dorji |
| Contact: | HanWay Films |
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