Himalaya

The central theme of the film is the rivalry between an old but experienced yak herder whose son was village chief but has just been killed while on caravan, and a young, inexperienced but very strong herder who believes the leadership role is his due.
The film captures masterfully the unforgiving harshness but breathtaking majesty of the mountains and the challenges of surviving in a rigorous environment.

But above all, one is taken inside a village and its people in inner Dolpo and provided with a vivid portrait of life in the high, remote Himalaya, a life full of hardship but also full of clarity, simplicity, and joy.

Himalayan Mahayana Bhuddism is an integral element here, represented by the dead chief's brother who is a monk. There are no references to Bon-po, the ancient religion that predates Bhuddism by several centuries and which is still practiced in Dolpo.

To be appreciated fully, "Himalaya - l'enfance d'un chef" should be seen on the big screen. It will lose a lot if ever converted to video.


Himalaya - Cinematic documentary   April 9, 2002
Anaguma (Platteville, WI USA)
9 out of 10 found this review helpful

I rented and immediately purchased the DVD. It is a movie, but it pays very close attention to the life of the Dolpo-pa, and as such, it not only presents a story, but captures a "culture in time" that few of us will ever experience. We may walk through these people's villages, or hire them to carry our gear, but we never can participate in their personal lives. Eric Valli, whatever his ulterior motives in creating this film (if any), had to have been driven by a love of the people and mountains to put this together. In an era of globalization and the loss of cultures and languages every year, films of this kind have great anthropological and human geographical value. It's too bad that more Eric Valli's don't exist to preserve our vanishing human heritage. When presented as a story, it can reach a much wider audience than a standard documentary; the story pulls the viewer into the lifestyle.

In addition to the movie, I found Debra Kellner's "The Making of Himalaya" to be equally as interesting. It presents another side of these people as real people interacting with a director and film crew. There is also an "Electronic Press Kit" which contains interesting footage such as showing cameras strapped on yaks' backs, and the pushing the fiberglass yak down the cliff into the lake.

The DVD appears to be a good transfer on my PC and DVD player and has a bonus soundtrack of commentary by Eric Valli and Debra Kellner.

Excellent little film.


This movie is timeless   July 23, 2001
8 out of 8 found this review helpful

Stunning cimeatography, beautyfull people, timeless journey through the highest mountains on earth. This story could have taken place a thousand years ago, the traditions are enduring time. The music is also, spectacular, buy the soundtrack. Having traveled through Tibet, it was always amazing to me how people can survive in such a land. This film explains one of the ways. Truly awesome.