Shambhala (2024 film)

SHAMBHALA is a 2024 drama film directed by Min Bahadur Bham of a screenplay co-written with Abinash Bikram Shah. The film starring Thinley Lhamo, Tenzin Dalha and Sonam Topden, depicts the life of newly married Pema, living in a Himalayan polyandrous village in Nepal. After the disappearance of her first husband, Tashi, 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 young, newly married woman, lives in a polyandrous village in the Nepalese Himalayas 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.

Reception
On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes website, the film has an approval rating of 100% based on 5 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 Golden Bear award.