Cha ma gu dao xi lie (2004)

Director:

Zhuangzhuang Tian

Writer:

Zhuangzhuang Tian (writer)

Genre:

Documentary

Plot:

Delamu ¨C Tibetan for "Peace Angel". Since ancient times, China's two primary land routes connecting...

Plot Keywords:

Caravan | China | Tibet | Buddhist | Trade

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Kuirong Wang

Also Known As:

Tea-Horse Road Series: Delamu (International: English title)

Runtime:

France:110 min | China:110 min (theatrical version)

Country:

China | Japan

Language:

Mandarin | Mandarin

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Company:

BDI Films Inc.

A slow documentary, but educational and rewarding

This is a documentary done about people that live around the 'Tea-Horse' route in a southern region of China bordering Yunnan and Tibet. The route is far less known than its northern counterpart, the Silk Route. I was never aware of it until I saw this film and now I have a desire to visit it some day.

Camera work was visually satisfying. The scenery was unique and gorgeous. Interviews with the locals were honest and unpretentious, although some could be cut short to reduce the overall length of the film from over 2 hours to, say, 90 minutes to make this film a bit tighter and less tedious.

You will find this film interesting if you care about how people live in that part of the world. The part that is totally disconnected from the economic engine of China; the part where time appears to have stood still for decades. There is this family of devout Catholics, and the story how their members maintained their faith throughout the political turmoil. And there are these two Tibetan brothers who shared a wife and still achieve harmony. And other characters that are very removed from our daily life.

The film is about simple people, their environment, and their aspirations. I find it very educational and visually rewarding.