Himalaya - l'enfance d'un chef (1999)

Director:

Eric Valli

Writers:

Nathalie Azoulai (writer)
Olivier Dazat (writer)

Release Date:

15 December 1999 (Belgium)

Genre:

Adventure | Drama

Tagline:

In a world of breathtaking beauty unfolds a classic tale of wisdom and adventure.

Plot:

An aging chief's last stand, lessons for the new, and the education of a young chief-to-be played against harsh Nature in Nepal's Dolpo...

Plot Keywords:

Nepal | Caravan | Monk | Divination | Mountain Life

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 7 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Thilen Lhondup	...	Tinle
Gurgon Kyap	...	Karma
Lhakpa Tsamchoe	...	Pema
Karma Wangel	...	Passang
Karma Tensing	...	Norbou / Urgien
Labrang Tundup	...	Labrang
Jampa Kalsang Tamang	...	Jampa
Tsering Dorjee	...	Rabkie
Rapke Gurung	...	Tundup
Pemba Bika	...	Tensing
Karma Chhewang	...	Meme / Paljor
Tenzen Charka	...	Chopga
Yangzom	...	Dawa
Gyalsen Gurung	...	Chewan
Phuti Bika	...	Deld

Also Known As:

Himalaya (France) (short title) (UK) (USA)
Caravan (Canada: English title) (festival title)

Runtime:

108 min

Country:

France | UK | Switzerland | Nepal

Language:

Tibetan | German

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | DTS-Stereo

Certification:

Hungary:14 | Germany:o.Al. (f) | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG | France:U | Hong Kong:IIA | New Zealand:PG | Norway:7 | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | UK:PG | Canada:PG

Filming Locations:

Dolpo Valley, Nepal

Company:

Antelope Films

Trivia:

The director, in the commentary on the DVD, says that he was inspired by the book "Caravan Towards Buddha" by Andre Migot. This book was titled "CARAVANE VERS BOUDDHA" when it was published in 1954, but can now only be found under its alternate (English) title, "Tibetan Marches" (translated by Peter Fleming). See also "Au Tibet sur les traces du Bouddha (Collection Itinéraires)" by André Migot.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Cinemania (2002)

Excellent ethnographic viewpoint

One reviewer asks if we (Westerners) can ever see the world through another's (non-Westerner) eyes. Good question. There's no 'yes' or 'no' answer because we can't get into people's heads. The cultural viewpoint from the standpoint of the actor in the cultural setting is always different from the outsider. As intruders into that world, we can observe, wonder and learn. Yes, indeed like voyeurs, my friend but these are not "primitive" people. These are people who have adapted to a way of life and developed means of coping with it. Since many of these people live isolated lives, the cultural diffusion of technology invades their worlds slowly. (We anthropologists see this fact as a mercy) This film is a wonder. As one reviewer asks, can we watch a film for over a 100 minutes of people walking? It depends. What do you want? Adventure? Rent a Hollywood spawn with phony chases, lots of CGI and god-awful writing. This is a simple story but one basic to the human condition. Loss, death, coming of age, transition, love and resurrection. This film is full of archetypes but without the contrived devices found in so many Western films. The adventure is that of the daily lives of these people who live always on the edge. It is most unfair to judge this simple tale and its depiction from the same viewpoint of another mythic journey. There's only the violence of nature and the triumph of human will to survive-- not happily ever after, but just for another day. As an anthropologist who spent over 25 years working with pastoralists (nomadic herders) in Africa, Central Asia, South America and the Middle East, I was delighted with this unpretentious story. I never worked with yak or reindeer [I highly recommend the exceptional "Pathfinder" for an excellent view of the Lapps]herders and the presentation certainly squared with everything I've read about these dynamic, wonderful people.