Shambhala (2024 film)

Shambhala
Festival release poster
Directed by	Min Bahadur Bham
Screenplay by	Min Bahadur Bham Abinash Bikram Shah
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
Cinematography	Aziz Zhambakiyiv
Edited by	Kiran Shrestha Liao Ching-sung
Music by	Nhyoo Bajracharya
Animation by	Bijay Awale
Production companies	Shooney Films CDP Ape&Bjørn Aaru Production ZK Film, Istanbul Yi Tiao Long Hu Bao Bangdel & Shakya Production
Distributed by	Best Friend Forever
Release date	23 February 2024 (2024-02-23) (Berlinale)
Running time	150 minutes
Countries	Nepal France Norway Hong Kong China Turkey Taiwan United States Qatar
Languages	Tibetan Nepali

Shambhala is a 2024 drama film directed by Min Bahadur Bham on screenplay co-written with Abinash Bikram Shah. The film starring Thinley Lhamo and Sonam Topden, depicts life of a newly married and pregnant Pema, living in a Himalayan polyandrous village in Nepal. After disappearance of her first husband she embarks on a journey into the wilderness to find him, evolving into a quest of self-discovery and liberation.

The international co-production between Nepal, France, Norway, Hong Kong, China, Turkey, Taiwan, USA, and Qatar is selected in the Competition at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival, where it competed for the Golden Bear with its first screening on 23 February at Berlinale Palast. Shambhala is the first Nepali feature film to be in competition at a major festival and the first South Asian film in three decades in the main Berlinale competition.

Synopsis

Pema, a lively woman, lives in the Nepalese Himalayas polyandrous village with her husband Tashi and his two brothers, who are also her husbands. Their life is peaceful until Tashi disappears on a business trip to Lhasa and Pema's pregnancy 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 brother-in-laws and a monk. Karma initially struggles to adapt to the worldly life, but he soon learns to enjoy it. However, he has to return to his monastery for urgent matters 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.

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.

Reception

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 Golden Bear award.

Award	Date	Category	Recipient	Result	Ref.
Berlin International Film Festival	25 February 2024	Golden Bear	Min Bahadur Bham	Nominated

External links

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