Daughters of Dolma

Daughters of Dolma centers on how the lives of young Tibetan Buddhist nuns in Nepal's Kathmandu Valley blend the old (ancient rituals, religious study) and the new (horror movies, Facebook). The documentary looks at three generations inside the walls of remote religious institutions, but filmmaker Adam Miklos focuses primarily on four women who describe how they feel about living in nunneries—sometimes far from home, and struggling to get along amongst themselves. Recognizing that the cloistered life is “looser” than in the past—in the sense that strict behavioral rules are no longer enforced—some still feel constrained by gender roles. Although much better educated than their predecessors—the Dalai Lama decreed that women may earn doctoral degrees—some remain ambivalent about their opportunities as compared to those of Buddhist monks. Miklos interviews his subjects in informal settings—individually and in groups—and interweaves their comments together with extended scenes of everyday activities. The four here chose religious life; in fact, it's not unusual for Tibetan families to count at least one nun or monk among their children. Girls as young as 5-years-old are routinely sent away to train for a spiritual existence; parents know that their daughters will receive a liberal education, and hope they will be successful at their vocation if they begin at a very young age—although a monk managing one nunnery says that karma is the real determinant. Offering an up-close look at a typically secluded lifestyle, this is highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (M. Puffer-Rothenberg)