Cinema
Himalaya
Himalaya, l'enfance d'un chef
Eric Valli · 1999
Synopsis
In a village in Dolpo, in north-west Nepal, the chief's son dies in the mountains. Old Tinle holds Karma, the dead man's friend, responsible and refuses him leadership of the yak caravan that is to trade salt for the grain of the valleys. Karma sets off first with the young men, against the advice of the elders. Tinle then gathers the rest of the inhabitants, brings his son Norbou back from the monastery and sets out on their trail, as a snowstorm is approaching.
Context
The film was produced by Jacques Perrin for Galatée Films, with Swiss and British partners and a Nepalese studio, and shot with inhabitants of Dolpo, almost all non-professionals: chiefs, lamas and villagers play roles close to their own lives. The cinematography is by Éric Guichard, the music by Bruno Coulais. Released in France on 15 December 1999, it also circulates under the title Caravan, and Kino International distributed it in the United States in 2001 under that of Himalaya.
Who it is for
About an hour and three-quarters, in Dolpo Tibetan with subtitles. It helps to know that Tibetan salt was once bartered for lowland grain.
Prizes and reception
Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film for Nepal, whose first nomination it was, and winner of two Césars, for cinematography and music.
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