Wikipedia

Shambhala (2024 film)

Shambhala (stylised as 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.[1][2][3] 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 film narrates the life trajectory of a Tibetan female refugee who is feeling the brunt in search of her missing husband, a task which she has to do it amidst being pregnant under challenging precarious circumstances.

Shambhala
Festival release poster
Directed byMin Bahadur Bham
Written by
Produced by
  • Debaki Rai
  • Justine O.
  • Bibhakar Sunder Shakya
  • Shuk Fong Chong
  • Verona Meier
  • Catherine Dussart
  • Zeynep Koray
Starring
  • Thinley Lhamo
  • Sonam Topden
  • Tenzin Dalha
CinematographyAziz Zhambakiyiv
Edited by
Music byNhyoo Bajracharya
Animation byBijay Awale
Production
companies
  • Shooney Films
  • CDP
  • Ape&Bjørn
  • Aaru Production
  • ZK Film, Istanbul
  • Yi Tiao Long Hu Bao
  • Bangdel & Shakya Production
Release date
Running time
150 minutes
Countries
  • Nepal
  • France
  • Norway
  • Hong Kong
  • China
  • Turkey
  • Taiwan
  • United States
  • Qatar
Languages
  • Tibetan
  • Nepali
Budgetरू15 crore (US$1.1 million)

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.[4][5] 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.[6][7] The film was also selected as the Nepalese entry for Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards.[8]

Synopsis

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Pema, a young, newly married woman, lives in a polyandrous village in the Nepalese Himalayas[a] 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

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  • 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

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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.[7] Min Bahadur Bham planned to direct his second directorial venture as a full-fledged female-driven survival road film. The film eventually obtained script development funding from ACF and from Cannes' Cinéfondation Residence as well as from the Busan International Film Festival.[10][11] The film was initially titled as A Year of Cold (Chiso Barsha).

In 2018, the director Min Bahadur Bham received 6,000 Euros at the Locarno Film Festival and the film was co-produced with the support of Locarno’s Open Doors Hub.[12] The film script was conferred with the Norwegian Sorfond Award in 2019 after being shortlisted among one of the contenders to receive the grant under the Norwegian South Film Fund's pitching forum.[13]

At the 72nd Cannes Film Festival, the filmmaker received 60,000 US dollars as a special cash prize to engage in the execution of the script by converting the script into a full-length feature film.[14][15][16] The film also received a special cash prize of 75,000 Euros from the TRT 12 Punto Script Lab of Turkey for its script.[17]

Release

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Shambhala had its world premiere on 23 February 2024, as part of the 74th Berlin International Film Festival, in Competition.[18][5]

In January 2024, Brussels-based Best Friend Forever acquired the sales rights of the film.[19]

The film was featured in 'Features' section of the 71st Sydney Film Festival on June 13, 2024.[20] The film was also screened in 'Horizons' at the 58th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival on 28 June 2024.[21][22] It was also showcased at Piazza Grande in the 77th Locarno Film Festival on 12 August 2024.[23] It will be screened in 'Vanguard' at the 2024 Vancouver International Film Festival on 2 October 2024.[24] It will also be presented in 'Strands: Journey' section of the 2024 BFI London Film Festival on 15 October 2024.[25]

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.[26][27]

Reception

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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.[28]

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."[29]

James Mottram of South China Morning Post rated the film 4/5 and lauded the film's writing, "A film like no other, Shambhala is unhurried and reflects the director’s fascination with Eastern rituals and symbols."[30]

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."[31]

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."[32]

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."[33]

Accolades

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

Award Date Category Recipient Result Ref.
Berlin International Film Festival 25 February 2024 Golden Bear Min Bahadur Bham Nominated [34]
MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 24 October 2024 South Asia Competition Min Bahadur Bham Nominated [35]
Taipei Golden Horse Awards 23 November 2024 Best Cinematography Aziz Zhambakiyev Nominated [36][37]
Best Makeup & Costume Design Ramlal Khadka Nominated
Asia Pacific Screen Awards 30 November 2024 Cultural Diversity Award Min Bahadur Bham Won [38]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ In the Tsum Valley in the Himalayas, polygamy is still common.[9]

References

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  1. ^ "Shambhala". Best Friend Forever. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  2. ^ "Shambhala". Berlinale. 6 February 2024. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  3. ^ Bahadur Bham, Min (9 February 2024). "Shambhala". Cineuropa. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  4. ^ Abbatescianni, Davide (22 January 2024). "The Berlinale unveils its Competition and Encounters titles". Cineuropa. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Shambhala | Screenings". Berlinale. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  6. ^ Bibek Bhandari (11 February 2024). "Nepali film set to make history at Berlin International Film Festival: 'our cinema is ready to compete'". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  7. ^ a b Naman Ramachandran (22 February 2024). "Helicopter Rescues, Motorbike Accidents, Altitude Sickness: How Nepal's Min Bahadur Bham Overcame the Odds to Shoot Berlin Competition Title 'Shambhala' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  8. ^ "Picturesque Upper Dolpa and lingering questions". The Kathmandu Post. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  9. ^ Arnu, Titus (9 July 2017). "In diesem Tal teilen sich Männer eine Frau" [In this valley men share one wife]. Welt (in German). Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  10. ^ "Asian Cinema Fund". Asian Cinema Fund. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
  11. ^ "Bham's A Year of Cold to be funded under Locarno's Open Doors Hub". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
  12. ^ Mayorga, Emilio (7 August 2018). "Locarno: Nepal's Min Bahadur Bham Presents 'A Year of Cold'". Variety. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
  13. ^ "Bham's A Year of Cold shortlisted for Sørfond Award". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
  14. ^ "Min Bahadur Bham's 'A Year of Cold' wins Norwegian Award at Cannes". My City. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  15. ^ "Min Bahadur Bham: Our film industry lacks creative producers who can invest more than money". The Kathmandu Post. Archived from the original on 29 May 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  16. ^ "MIN BAHADUR BHAM'S UPCOMING "A YEAR OF COLD" WINS NORWEGIAN SORFOND AWARD AT CANNES 2019 - Street Nepal". 22 May 2019. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
  17. ^ "Nepali movie 'A Year of Cold' wins 75,000 Euro prize". Khabarhub. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
  18. ^ Ntim, Zac (22 January 2024). "Berlin Reveals 2024 Competition Lineup: Rooney Mara, Mati Diop, Isabelle Huppert, Abderrahmane Sissako Movies Among Selection". Deadline. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  19. ^ Elsa Keslassy (24 January 2024). "Nepal's First Berlinale Competition Entry, 'Shambhala,' Lands at Best Friend Forever for Worldwide Sales (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  20. ^ "Shambhala". Sydney Film Festival Festival. 8 June 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  21. ^ "Catalogue of Films – Horizons". The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. 28 June 2024. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  22. ^ Kudlac, Martin (14 June 2024). "Karlovy Vary unveils the full line-up for its 58th edition". Cineuropa. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  23. ^ Szalai, Georg (10 July 2024). "Locarno Fest Lineup Includes Hong Sang-soo, Paz Vega Films, Honors for Mélanie Laurent, Guillaume Canet". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  24. ^ "Shambhala". VIFF. 28 August 2024. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  25. ^ Ntim, Zac (4 September 2024). "BFI London Film Festival Lineup: Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi & Jimmy Chin To Debut 'Endurance', Baker, Heller, Berger & Abbasi's Trump Movie Among Headline Galas — Full List". Deadline. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  26. ^ Scroll Staff (9 October 2024). "MAMI Mumbai Film Festival will open with Payal Kapadia's 'All We Imagine as Light'". Scroll.in. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  27. ^ Ramachandran, Naman (24 October 2024). "'Rhythm of a Flower' Takes Top Prize at Mumbai Film Festival, Sundance Winner 'Girls Will Be Girls' Gets Three Honors". Variety. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  28. ^ "Shambhala (2024, Drama)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  29. ^ Lemercier, Fabien (22 February 2024). "Review: Shambhala". Cineuropa. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  30. ^ Mottram, James (22 February 2024). "Berlin 2024: Shambhala movie review – first Nepalese film ever to be selected in competition is a transcendent masterpiece". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  31. ^ Siddhant Adlakha (23 February 2024). "'Shambhala' Review: A Tranquil but Meandering Mountain Journey". Variety. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  32. ^ Romney, Jonathan (23 February 2024). "'Shambhala': Berlin Review". ScreenDaily. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  33. ^ Nicholas Bell (23 February 2024). "Defending Your Life: Bham's Captivating Quest Follows Its Own Path". Ion Cinema. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  34. ^ Rosser, Michael (22 January 2024). "Berlin film festival reveals 2024 competition line-up". ScreenDaily. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  35. ^ "MAMI Mumbai Film Festival Announces its 2024 Official Film Selections". The Hollywood Reporter India. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  36. ^ "2024金馬影展 │夢的召喚，踏上自己的生命旅程：《香巴拉》導演、美術造型專訪". Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival (in Chinese (Taiwan)). 23 November 2024. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  37. ^ Lin, Priscilla (24 November 2024). "2024金馬獎得獎名單最完整！". Women's Health (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  38. ^ Frater, Patrick (30 November 2024). "'April' Takes Double Win at Asia Pacific Screen Awards". Variety. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
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