Dreaming Lhasa (2005)

A Tibetan travels to Dharamsala to make a film about the exile community, and to escape her crumbling personal life back in New York City. She makes a connection to a disaffected local who ... See full summary »

Directors:

Ritu Sarin, Tenzing Sonam

Writer:

Tenzing Sonam

Stars:

Tenzin Chokyi Gyatso, Tenzin Jigme, Jampa Kalsang

1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Tenzin Chokyi Gyatso	...	Karma
Tenzin Jigme	...	Jigme
Jampa Kalsang	...	Dhondup
Jampa Kalsang Tamang	...	Dhondup

Storyline

A Tibetan travels to Dharamsala to make a film about the exile community, and to escape her crumbling personal life back in New York City. She makes a connection to a disaffected local who spends his time online and chasing Western girls, as well as an ex-monk who recently escaped from political imprisonment. Together they end up on the search for a CIA-trained resistance fighter who has been missing for some time.

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Plot Keywords:

exile | dharamsala | dalai lama | tibet | identity | 

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Taglines:

A Tibetan-American filmmaker returns to the exiled Tibetan community in India and finds herself drawn into a quest that becomes a journey into Tibet's fractured past and a voyage of self-discovery.

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Mystery

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

UK India

Language:

English Tibetan

Release Date:

27 July 2008 (Romania)

Also Known As:

Anazitontas tin Apagorevmeni Poli

Filming Locations:

Clement Town, India

Box Office

Budget:

$350,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$6,060 (USA) (13 April 2007)

Gross:

$21,335 (USA) (20 July 2007)

Company Credits

Production Co:

White Crane Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

User Reviews

Good film - Could Be Better

I saw this film at the 2005 Toronto International Film Festival. Resonating soundtracks, beautiful cinematography and original story brought alive a story of two lost souls struggling to find the past/truth that they fear to uncover. The directors picked an interesting angle to look at how the Tibetan exile community continues to fight for their land and at the same time deals with the temptations from the "outside" world. Shot along very scenery Tibet-India border, the setting alone was worth to watch.

On the down side, unfortunately the leading actress still has a long way to go before reaching the same performance level as the rest of key cast members. Also the pacing was great at the beginning, but somehow went flat towards the end.

Great job for a low-budget film.