Travelers and Magicians (2003)
"Travellers and Magicians" (original title)

The two men embark on parallel, if separate, journeys. Their yearning is a common one--for a better and different life. Dondup, delayed by the timeless pace of his village, is forced to ... See full summary »

Director:

Khyentse Norbu

Writer:

Khyentse Norbu

Stars:

Tshewang Dendup, Sonam Lhamo, Lhakpa Dorji

2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Tshewang Dendup	...	Dondup
Sonam Lhamo	...	Sonam
Lhakpa Dorji	...	Tashi
Deki Yangzom	...	Deki
Sonam Kinga	...	The Monk
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Dorji Budha	...	Villager of Chendebaji
Sanga Budha	...	Villager of Chendebaji
Sumcho Budha	...	Kinzang Wangchuk
Nim Buthri	...	Villager of Chendebaji
Aum Chenzom	...	Girl in Field
Sonam Choepel	...	Magic Student
Neten Chokling	...	Bus Driver
Lam Dawup	...	Magic Student
Chhmi Dem	...	Villager of Chendebaji
Kinzang Dem	...	Villlager of Chendebaji

Storyline

The two men embark on parallel, if separate, journeys. Their yearning is a common one--for a better and different life. Dondup, delayed by the timeless pace of his village, is forced to hitchhike through the beautiful wild countryside of Bhutan to reach his goal. He shares the road with a monk, an apple seller, a papermaker and his beautiful young daughter, Sonam. Throughout the journey, the perceptive yet mischievous monk relates the story of Tashi. It is a mystical fable of lust, jealousy and murder, that holds up a mirror to the restless Dondup, and his blossoming attraction to the innocent Sonam. The cataclysmic conclusion of the monk's tale leaves Dondup with a dilemma--is the grass truly greener on the other side?

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Plot Keywords:

monk | bhutan | story in story | buddhist | road trip | 

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Taglines:

The bitter and the sweet of temporary things

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Genres:

Drama | Adventure

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Details

Official Sites:

Official Site

Country:

Australia Bhutan

Language:

Dzongkha

Release Date:

21 April 2004 (France)

Also Known As:

Travelers and Magicians

Filming Locations:

Bhutan

Box Office

Budget:

$1,800,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$33,815 (USA) (11 February 2005)

Gross:

$505,295 (USA) (15 July 2005)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Prayer Flag Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

First film to be shot in Bhutan, the Himalayan nation/kingdom that was prototype for Lost Horizon.

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Quotes

Drunk Man: So, where are you and your friends going?
The Monk: [pointing to the appleman] Well, he and I, to Thimphu.
[pointing to Dondup]
The Monk: That one, to a dreamland.
Drunk Man: A dreamland? I want to go too.
The Monk: Looks like you're already there.

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Connections

Featured in Getaway: Episode #15.37 (2006)

User Reviews

A Beautiful & Spiritual Film

The second film from Buddhist director Khyentse Norbu (his first film is 1999's "The Cup", "Travellers & Magicians" is a beautiful, funny, spiritual and understated piece of cinema. The film involves two stories about two men, both on very similar journeys in very different worlds, with two very different outcomes.

Dondup (Tshewang Dendup) is an important chief officer in a remote village in the Buddhist kingdom of Bhutan, but soon realizes that he can not stay there his whole life and longs to travel to his dreamland called America. He would rather see himself picking apples in the U.S. than live a mundane life in his village. And so he begins his journey, hitchhiking his way closer to his dreamland. On the way he meets a feisty monk (played by a funny Sonam Kinga), an old apple seller, and a paper maker & his young daughter Sonam, whom Dondup slowly begins to grow an attraction for.

During the journey, the monk tells Dondup and the group an old fable that parallel's Dondup's journey and quest for a better, more exciting life. The film then inter-cuts back and forth from Dondup's story to Tashi's story. Tashi (played by the charismatic Lhakpa Dorji) is a restless farm boy studying magic, who dreams of one day leaving his boring village. While having lunch with his younger brother, he unexpectedly embarks on a journey of his own where he meets an old recluse named Agay (Gomchen Penjore) and his beautiful, and much younger, wife Deki (Deki Yangzom). Soon, Tashi falls in love with Deki and soon they begin a secret affair. Here, the film turns almost noirish.

As the monk concludes Tashi's fable, Dondup is left with a dilemma — is the grass truly greener on the other side?

This film was the first feature to be made in the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan and was shot entirely in the Dzongkha dialect, which is the official language of Bhutan. Because few of the cast spoke this new language, most had to be taught by a dialect coach on-set. The cast does a terrific job and the performances are all excellent...all very natural. The standouts in the film are Tshewang Dendup and Lahakpa Dorji, the two protagonists. Though they go on similar journeys, both exemplify different personalities and both actors successfully establish their characters as human...likable yet flawed. My only complaint is that both their characters don't fully come to a full arc, more so for Dondup's character. Though i'm sure Norbu intended the audience to make their own conclusion to Dondup's journey of discovery. I think maybe Norbu created such great, dynamic characters, I didn't want their stories to end. I wanted to continue riding along on their journeys, curious to see what happens next.

The cinematography is stunning and Alan Kozlowski does a wonderful job at contrasting the different looks of Dondup's story and Tashi's cautionary tale. Dondup's world is a natural canvas that showcases the beautiful scenery of the Bhutan landscape. Tashi's world is darker and mystical, shot with dark blues and greens and soft lighting. The final scene at the creek of Tashi's story is absolutely breathtaking.

Highly recommended.