Rating: 
Summary: I love this -- The painting is finished by itself!!
Review: "The painting is finished by itself." This concept is drawn in this filem. In the same logic, the movie is finished by itself.
If you do not understand what I am saying, I wish this title can show you what it means.
Rating: 
Summary: MOVIE FROM TIBET
Review: "Caravan" was a nominee for Best Foreign Film at The 1999 Academy Awards, and it caused quite a stir due to it's then limited availability and pro Tibetan stance, ( Present day China wishes to capitalize on the merits of Tibetan society and include it in it's Republic ). It is reissued theatrically in a limited run in 2001 under the new title, "Himalaya", an apparent attempt to bring attention to the spectacular Himalayan scenery that abounds in the film. The plot revolves around a seasonal migration by Tibetan trade merchants ( miners ) to harvest salt in The Himalayas. At first, the amateur cast is difficult to bare, over emphasized dialogue, a lot of fake grinning, but as the film progresses the short-ranged realism invoked by these Tibetan actors achieves a documentary-like quality which wouldn't have been reached had the cast been professionally trained. By reel's end, they find solid ground in the humbleness of their performances depicting the peacefulness of Tibetan culture. The drama builds to a deeply satisfying conclusion and the suspenseful mountain action sequences reminds us we don't need high-tech wizardry to make a mountain exciting. This is one beautiful picture.
Rating:
Summary: An extraordinary, unique film
Review: "Himalaya - l'enfance d'un chef" is the crowning achievement of French anthropologist Eric Valli who for years has researched and documented the trade routes and yak caravans of the remote, isolated inner Dolpo region in north-central Nepal. This is NOT, as one reviewer has stated, a film about "tibetan merchants harvesting salt". The yak herders in "Himalaya - l'enfance d'un chef" are from Dolpo, where for centuries salt, which is abundant in Dolpo, has been traded for grain and black tea from the Tibetan high plateau, across the hazardous high passes leading to Tibet.The central theme of the film is the rivalry between an old but experienced yak herder whose son was village chief but has just been killed while on caravan, and a young, inexperienced but very strong herder who believes the leadership role is his due.
The film captures masterfully the unforgiving harshness but breathtaking majesty of the mountains and the challenges of surviving in a rigorous environment. But above all, one is taken inside a village and its people in inner Dolpo and provided with a vivid portrait of life in the high, remote Himalaya, a life full of hardship but also full of clarity, simplicity, and joy. Himalayan Mahayana Bhuddism is an integral element here, represented by the dead chief's brother who is a monk. There are no references to Bon-po, the ancient religion that predates Bhuddism by several centuries and which is still practiced in Dolpo. To be appreciated fully, "Himalaya - l'enfance d'un chef" should be seen on the big screen. It will lose a lot if ever converted to video.
Rating: 
Summary: Pretty good, but...
Review: 1st of all, if the rating system allowed it, I'd give this film 3.5/5 stars. Basically, I thought that this was a pretty interesting film to watch, especially for someone who doesn't know anything about Nepalese culture; it vividly immerses you in their daily life, complete with all of the throat singing, the rituals, the houses, the prayer wheels, everything. It was really quite a sight, even though I didn't understand some of what I saw; the movie isn't a documentary after all, so it has no obligation to explain these things for western viewers, and it often doesn't. However, since it's not a documentary about the life of Nepalese people, but a MOVIE, I'm going to review it as such. Where the movie falls short, in my opinion, is NOT in its pace; I never felt that the movie demanded a lot of the viewer, and it should be a relatively easy viewing for anyone (provided that that anyone doesn't mind subtitles). Nor is it with the story; it is fairly exciting and features great character development.
Rather, I always felt that the director didn't really sympathize with his subject matter. The story is told, but it is always told from a distance; there is never a moment when the camera really zooms in on one of the characters to analyze their personality. We get to see an exact replica of the traditional Nepalese village, but despite all of the material things of that culture that we see, the movie doesn't really show their day-to-day life, but instead romanticizes everything slightly; looks at all of it like a tourist would. There is never a sense of real connection there, and I think that this movie could have been much better if the camera didn't always stay at an arm's length away from the characters. If you're willing to forgive that, however, this film will show you more about Nepal than any other film you're likely to watch. Not psychologically, perhaps (only some of that), but materially at least. If you're even slightly interested, I say give it a try; The scenery is indeed beautiful.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent! A filmmakers film
Review: A marvelous story married with spectacular cinematography. This is not a documentary, but a wonderfully acted, scripted and edited piece of work. Tells a story that we in the west never see, but is very timeless. A different tale of the people of the Himalayas. Not about sherpas and climbers (G). Don't miss it.
Rating:
Summary: Himalaya
Review: A most excellent film. Poignant, emotional, visually beautiful. I went to see it with three other people and we all came out stunned and unable to speak for some time. I urge you to seek it out.
Rating:
Summary: Leadership, Trade and Religion in the Tibetan Region
Review: A very moving and thought provoking movie about the problems of succession in tribal leadership and the conflict of traditional religious/superstitious values versus a more pragmatic approach. The conflicts are resolved amicably but not without some tragedies. The scenery is breath taking and the acting is very convincing, clearly done by the local people. The production crew must have been almost as tough as the people they worked with!
Rating:
Summary: NEPAL'S LAST GREAT CARAVANS OF THE HIMALAYAYAS
Review: After months of anticipation, I finally got to watch this film by Eric Valli. Thanks to my nephew, Rajan, who mailed me this film from Nepal.Mr. Valli has done a remarkable job documenting perhaps, the last of the great caravans of the Himalayas. For those who want to read and explore more, Eric Valli and his wife, Diane Summers has written an in-depth article in the 1993 National Geographic Dec issue, about the salt traders of Dolpo. At such great heights Mr. Valli's filming is spectacular, its a great achievement. I would also like to mention Mr. Bruno Coulais for his outstanding music. The compositions are so beautiful, fitting and sometimes haunting. For a French to compose this kind of music.....its really great.Please see this film whenever it comes to your town, OR you'll miss the last CARAVAN!
Rating:
Summary: True to Dolpo
Review: Caravan is too slow to have mass appeal, but it is a fine film. It has a timeless theme- passing the torch from old to young- and magnificent scenery. It has varied elements- drama, sentimentality, a little humor and suspense, and blends them well. It's acting is convincing, and its' dialogue is entertaining. This is a first rate production that benefited from an apparently low budget. Much of Caravan's charm derives from its' simplicity. If you are used to standard Holywood fare, you should pass on seeing it. If you appreciate fine cinematography, be sure to watch it.
Rating:
Summary: Fine Story and Production
Review: Caravan is too slow to have mass appeal, but it is a fine film. It has a timeless theme- passing the torch from old to young- and magnificent scenery. It has varied elements- drama, sentimentality, a little humor and suspense, and blends them well. It's acting is convincing, and its' dialogue is entertaining. This is a first rate production that benefited from an apparently low budget. Much of Caravan's charm derives from its' simplicity. If you are used to standard Holywood fare, you should pass on seeing it. If you appreciate fine cinematography, be sure to watch it.
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