Shambhala
In the heart of the Nepalese Himalayas, the spirited Pema embraces a polyandrous marriage with Tashi and his two younger brothers. They initially lead a harmonious life, but when Tashi fails to return from a trading trip to Lhasa, the legitimacy of Pema’s unborn child is questioned by her community. Determined to prove her love and purity, she embarks on a quest to find Tashi. Accompanied by her brother-in-law, her now de facto spouse Karma, she goes into the wilderness. Karma is a monk. After initially resisting giving up his monastic life, he gradually comes to appreciate the simple existence of a secular life. However, urgent duties call him back to the monastery and Pema is left alone. As she navigates the harsh Himalayan terrain, her quest transcends the search for her missing husband. Pema becomes increasingly immersed in a spiritual search for meaning in which every step brings her closer to self-discovery and liberation.
With
- Thinley Lhamo (Pema)
- Sonam Topden (Karma)
- Tenzin Dalha (Tashi)
- Karma Wangyal Gurung (Dawa)
- Karma Shakya (Ram Sir)
- Loten Namling (Rinpoche)
- Tsering Lhamo Gurung (Pema’s Friend)
- Janga Bahadur Lama (Shepherd)
Crew
Director | Min Bahadur Bham |
Screenplay | Min Bahadur Bham, Abinash Bikram Shah |
Cinematography | Aziz Zhambakiyev |
Editing | Liao Ching Sung, Kiran Shrestha |
Music | Nhyoo Bajracharya |
Vocals | Ani Choying Drolma |
Sound Design | Tu Duu Chih, Tu Tse Kang |
Sound | Dikesh Khadgi Shahi, Samrat Khanal |
Production Design | Ram Lal Khadka |
Costumes | Dorjee Dradhul Gurung |
Casting | Min Bahadur Bham |
Assistant Directors | Tsering Choden, Kiran Shrestha, Nipil Sharma |
Producer | Min Bahadur Bham |
Executive Producers | Debaki Rai, Ching-Sung Liao, Roger Huang, Ruben Thorkildsen, Can Aygor, Salina Shakya |
Associate Producers | Rajesh Prasad Khatri, Jeremy Chua, Lee Chi Lin |
Co-Producers | Catherine Dussart, Verona Meier, Shuk Fong Chong, Zeynep Koray, Justine O., Bibhakar Sunder Shakya |
Co-Production | CDP, ParisApe&Bjørn, OsloAaru Production, Hong KongZK Films, IstanbulYi Tiao Long Hu Bao, TaipehBangdel & Shakya Production, Virginia |
Produced by
World Sales
Additional information
Supported by Doha Film Institute
Min Bahadur Bham
© Upendra Jung Shahi Shooney Films
The Nepalese filmmaker studied Buddhist philosophy and political science while pursuing a doctorate in anthropology. His short film The Flute was the first Nepalese film to screen at the Venice International Film Festival. His debut feature The Black Hen won the Best Film Award in the Settimana Internazionale della Critica at Venice and was Nepal’s official entry for the Oscars. Shambala is the first Nepalese film to be selected for the Berlinale Competition.
Filmography
2012 Bansulli (The Flute) 2015 Kalo Pothi (The Black Hen) 2023 Shambhala
Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2024
Dates
Sat Feb 24
18:45
HKW 1 - Miriam Makeba Auditorium
Sat Feb 24
21:00