These days, with films largely seeming to follow a pattern of constant disappointment, Himalaya comes as a breath of air, fresh as the mountains on which the movie is set. Not to say that you'll be seeing anything incredibly innovative, as far as actual filmmaking goes, but Himalaya delivers a simple but satisfying plot and effective acting, integrated with masterful, grandiose cinematography and musical score. Together, they provide the sort of the exhilaration of an IMAX documentary combined with the gentle emotionalism characteristic of many foreign films.
Himalaya is the first feature film effort of director Eric Valli, whose background as a National Geographic photographer and documentary filmmaker shines through. The movie focuses on a small tribe living in the Dolpo region of the Himalayan mountains and the power struggle between an old man, Tinle (Thilen Lhondup), and the younger Karma (Gurgon Kyap).
As the movie begins, a caravan has just returned from a mission, the chief of the tribe having died along the way after striking off the path. In his grief, Tinle, the father of the deceased chief, blames Karma, the chief's best friend, of having killed his son in hopes of assuming power over the tribe.
Although most of the tribespeople want Karma to become the next chief, Tinle refuses to acknowledge him as such, declaring that his young grandson, Tsering (Karma Wangiel), is next in line. The time is drawing close for the tribe to make a routine journey to sell the salt they have harvested. Karma, the strongest man of the tribe, offers to lead the caravan but Tinle, the wisest man of the village, insists that he will take the charge. Undaunted by the frailty of his age, Tinle enlists his son, Norbu (Karma Tenzing Nyima Lama), a monk at a nearby Buddhist monastery and his daughter-in-law, Pema (Lhakpa Tsamchoe), to help him along the trail. The two groups split off and go on their separate ways, at the mercy of the unpredictable Himalayan wilderness.
As you can imagine, the scenery of Himalaya is breathtaking, from the opening scene of a gold-infused wheat field of a summer harvest to sweeping shots of snowy mountain vistas. The audience feels a full appreciation not only for the beauty but also for the danger experienced by the indigenous people inhabiting the region. In the same way, the movie can be dualized as a parable as well as an adventure story. I suspect that the actors themselves are natives of Nepal and can relate to the culture depicted in the film, which contributes to the soulful realism of their performances.
Like characters in a parable, each individual fits into a certain role that the audience can recognize and appreciate, without feeling the boredom of something they have experienced countless times before. From Tinle, the wise patriarch, to Karma, the fearless and dashing leader, to Pema, the gentle, loving female counterpart, to Tsering, the precocious, bright child, each character connects with the other in a unique way, filling a full spectrum of personalities and relationships.
One of the larger themes of Himalaya is the importance of a balance between doing one's own thing and being guided by the gods. In the same way, Himalaya is a solid compromise between Valli's vision and already-founded techniques, a film of meditative quality that the general public can enjoy.
Himalaya is currently showing at The Charles Theatre, located at 1711 N. Charles St. Showtimes are 7:30 pm and 9:40 pm nightly. Call 410-727-FILM for more information or check out http://www.thecharles.com.
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