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

The Monk: The minds of human beings are so convoluted. What we hoped for yesterday, we dread today.

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Connections

Featured in Getaway: Episode #15.37 (2006)

User Reviews

Bhutanese road movie

It's a bit simplistic to call this a "road movie", but certainly much of the story follows a group of unlikely Bhutanese travellers hitch-hiking and riding in all manner of vehicles. Interspersed with this theme is a second story of a love triangle in the rugged mountains. Both stories are commentaries about the complexities of life and romance in the Himalayas as western ways take root.

Comparisons will inevitably be drawn with Khyentse Norbu's earlier movie, The Cup, and I have to admit that I preferred The Cup. I'll never forget the youthful exuberance of those monks as the World Cup soccer final approached. And I feel the Buddhist message was a bit more direct in The Cup.

However, the tagline of Travellers and Magicians is "The bitter and sweet of temporary things", and this sounds pretty Buddhist to me. We tend to forget that everything is transitory and grasp at it as if it will exist forever, and this is the cause of our suffering.

And that, kind friends, is the extent of my Buddhist wisdom for today.

Enjoy!