• Source: Shambhala (2024 film)

Shambhala is a 2024 drama film directed by Min Bahadur Bham from a screenplay written by Bahadur and Abinash Bikram Shah. Starring Thinley Lhamo, Tenzin Dalha and Sonam Topden. Shambhala is the most expensive movie of Nepal made on the budget रू15 crore (US$1.1 million). It was selected in the Competition at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival, where it competed for the Golden Bear.
The international co-production between Nepal, France, Norway, Hong Kong, China, Turkey, Taiwan, USA and Qatar world-premiered on 23 February 2024 at the Berlinale Palast. Shambhala is the first Nepali feature film to be in competition at a major film festival and the first South Asian film in three decades to compete in the main competition at the Berlinale. The film was also selected as the Nepalese entry for Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards.




Synopsis


Pema, a young, newly married woman, lives in a polyandrous village in the Nepalese Himalayas[a][/Shambhala_(2024_film)#cite_note-poly-2 [lower-alpha 1]] with her husband Tashi and his two brothers, Karma and Dawa, who are also her husbands. Their life is peaceful until Tashi disappears on a months long trade trip to Lhasa, and newly-pregnant Pema's fidelity is doubted by her neighbours. She decides to go after Tashi to clear her name and show her devotion. She is joined by Karma, one of her husbands (brother of Tashi) who is also a monk. Karma initially struggles to adapt to the worldly life, but he soon learns to enjoy it and to care for Pema. However, he has to return to his monastery after the death of the Rinpoche (head of the monastery), and Pema continues alone. Her journey is not only about finding Tashi, but also about finding herself and her freedom. She grows more spiritual and enlightened with every step. In the end Pema returns to her village and confronts the returned Tashi, standing up for herself and her life. Her child is revealed as the reincarnation of the Rinpoche.




Cast


Thinley Lhamo as Pema
Sonam Topden as Karma
Tenzin Dalha as Tashi
Karma Wangyal Gurung as Dawa
Karma Shakya as Ram sir
Loten Namling as Rinpoche
Tsering Lhamo Gurung as Pema's friend
Janga Bahadur Lama as shepherd




Production


The film was shot in the Upper Dolpo region of the Himalayas, between Nepal and Tibet, one of the highest human settlements on the planet located between 4,200 to 6,000 meters above sea level.




Release


Shambhala had its world premiere on 23 February 2024, as part of the 74th Berlin International Film Festival, in Competition.
In January 2024, Brussels-based Best Friend Forever acquired the sales rights of the film.
The film was featured in 'Features' section of the 71st Sydney Film Festival on June 13, 2024. The film was also screened in 'Horizons' at the 58th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival on 28 June 2024. It was also showcased at Piazza Grande in the 77th Locarno Film Festival on 12 August 2024. It will be screened in 'Vanguard' at the 2024 Vancouver International Film Festival on 2 October 2024. It will also be presented in 'Strands: Journey' section of the 2024 BFI London Film Festival on 15 October 2024.
The film was selected for the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2024, where competed in the South Asia Competition section and received a special mention from the NETPAC jury.




Reception


On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes website, the film has an approval rating of 86% based on 7 reviews, with an average rating of 8/10.
Fabien Lemercier reviewing the film at Berlinale for Cineuropa wrote, "A magnificent portrait of a woman determined to shoulder her responsibilities, Shambhala is a work of great sensitivity which is highly suggestive beneath its striking and “exotic” cultural attire."
James Mottram of South China Morning Post rated the film 4/5 and lauded the film writing, "A film like no other, Shambhala is unhurried and reflects the director’s fascination with Eastern rituals and symbols."
Siddhant Adlakha reviewing for Variety at Berlinale wrote, "Shambhala does, essentially, what it says on the tin. Its landscape may be mountainous, but its emotional trajectory is a distinct plateau."
Jonathan Romney reviewing the film at Berlinale, wrote in ScreenDaily "At once a spiritual odyssey and a more concrete journey of female self-determination, this is a visually magnificent slow-burner filmed high in the Himalayas, with a quietly magnetic central performance from Thinley Lhamo."
Nicholas Bell in Ion Cinema rated the film with four stars and said, "Grounding this narrative, mixing visual poetry with vulgar slander, is the captivating performance by Thinley Lhamo, who imbues Pema with a resilience and tenderness." Concluding Bell praised cinematography and wrote, "Bam reunites with his DP Aziz Zhambakyiv, and the Nepalese Himalayas provide a pristine, breathtaking backdrop for these ultimately petty miseries supported by fragile men."




Accolades


The film was selected in Competition at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival, thus it was nominated to compete for the Golden Bear award.




See also


List of submissions to the 97th Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film
List of Nepalese submissions for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film




Notes






References






External links


Official website
Shambhala at IMDb
Shambhala at Rotten Tomatoes
Shambhala at German: Film Dienst
Shambhala at Berlinale

Kata Kunci Pencarian:

• Elliot Page
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• Shambhala (2024 film)
• Shambhala
• Shambhala (disambiguation)
• Kalki 2898 AD
• 74th Berlin International Film Festival
• Shambhala (music festival)
• Chögyam Trungpa
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