Himalaya

Rating:
Summary: beautiful, but...should this film have been made at all?
Review: This is a stunningly beautiful film, with marvelous actors, all locals. It was made under extremely difficult circumstances, with the filmmakers going to almost insane lengths to create this film.

So where does the "but" come in?

I felt extremely uncomfortable when watching the documentary about how the film was made. This film was intended to portray an endangered way of life, or so at least the director presented it. I can't help but wonder how much this film contributed to destroying the very thing it sought to preserve. Did the filmmakers remove every last piece of equipment and trash they brought in? Somehow, I doubt this. Did the villagers go back to their previous lives unscathed? Based on previous encounters between every small non western civilization and the Wonderful West, this too is doubtful.

I think that the film itself deserves the glowing reviews it got, and only when you watch the film with the accompanying documentary can you realize it's potential destructiveness.

The geographical area covered is much the same as that described by Peter Mathiessen in the "Snow Leopard", a beautiful meditative account of inner and outer travel, which left me with a feeling of wonder and peace. This film leaves me with the same uneasy feeling you get when watching a beautiful pristine locale on TV, only to discover a second later that it is an ad for a SUV.

Again, it's a beautiful film. Maybe my premonitions of doom are misguided and the place is like it was before the film was made. Maybe if the locals' lives have changed, they have changed for the better. Maybe they had a great time doing this film and it has enriched them and given them more freedom to choose different paths in life. But somehow, I doubt this.

Rating:
Summary: "There Are No Accidents"
Review: This is an age old tale set in an ancient village in the Himalaya. The old village chief insists on waiting to take a yak caravan over the mountain on the specific date given by the oracles. A young whippersnapper, Karma, who would like to take over the Chief's role sooner rather than later, insists on leaving immediately before the weather turns foul. Both are stubborn, insistent and unmoving in their decision of when to leave. Both can't be correct or can they? This is a contest between each man and the mountain and everyone wins, because "there are no accidents". A breathtaking film cinematically and one that echos the spirituality of the Tibetan people. Bruno Coulais' soundtrack for this film is absolutely perfect. Eric Valli's direction is amazing considering the cast are not actors. This movie will stay with you for a very long time.

Rating:
Summary: Himalaya, L'enfance d'un chef
Review: This is one of my top 5 favorite movies ever. I saw it 3 times in two weeks, even though I didn't have any money at the time. It is stunningly beautiful, and the story's themes and characters' challenges are universal and enduring. It is an incredible contribution to the world.

Rating:
Summary: Stunning!
Review: This is one of the greatest films I have ever seen. I was entranced and moved. It exemplifies what the art of cinema should be. I saw it at the Tokyo International Film Festival in Shibuya today. Beautiful, real, and unpretentious. No review can do it justice. See it on a big screen if possible.

Rating:
Summary: A must see
Review: This is one of the most visually stunning films I have ever seen and a great chance to see something of a culture that is rapidly dissapearing. If you can, see it.

Rating:
Summary: A Hidden Treasure
Review: This wonderful film gets my nod when it has been nominated for academic award for the best foreign film 2000. I have watched this movie today and really excited to write a review. It's an inspirational, coming-of-age, story about Chief's pursuit to look after the people in his village Dolpa and the obstacles in his path. I have been to Dolpa, infact I have seen these people around having same kind of life. The people in the movie are real and their customs are real too. The story has been greatly supported by mind blowing scenic view of Nepal and its culture. The himalayas, villages, Foksandu lake are real and it has become the heart of this movie. On top of that this movie also reflects the culture which is dying at this information age. Thanks for the director and photographer for creating such a nice movie.

Rating:
Summary: Metaphoric masterpiece
Review: Time and again the struggle of the old school of thought and the new one has been portrayed..In this story, that plot is intertwined with the struggle of tradition and perceived pragmatism. The majestic background of the Himalayas and the magical natural beauty captured by the script writers adds aura to the movie and the strength of the plot..
Fascinating as the plot is, the portrayal of the characters by the talented actors adds a separate charm to the movie.
The climax of the movie raises more philosophical questions than answers...Each viewer will have a different opinion on "Who won??". A movie for the ages. The bonus material in the DVD is a must-see.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful, Enchanting, Breathtaking...
Review: To most Americans ... Himalaya will very likely seem slow-paced, a too-subtle storyline with not enough plot twists, and actual character development.

For the rest of us, this movie is inspiring, awesome and breathtakingly, achingly beautiful.

Rating:
Summary: A great movie
Review: Well, I didn't but the DVD but I was lucky enough to see the movie in a theater with my son (age 11). The mountain scenery is spectacular and the story concerned the conflict between religious values and greed and pride. I believe that the "actors" were real local people. Having traveled a tiny bit in the general area it really took me back. A good viewing for people interested in mountains, mountain life, and Buddhism.