From street photographer turned independent filmmaker Ngima Gelu Sherpa comes Home, a poignant documentary resource that showcases the serene yet challenging lives of an elderly couple residing in the remote Garma village, nestled in the lower Everest region. As the young Nepali filmmaker begins his career in Europe, his father's declining health prompts him to return to a world he has left behind. A deeply personal undertaking, the film documents the last days and passing of Sherpa's father, framing these moments as part of the natural and simplistic order of life.
Despite Garma's abandonment, the filmmaker's parents, Ngima Lamini Sherpa and Chhongba Lama Sherpa, have remained, cherishing their bond with the natural world. The film portrays their simplistic lifestyle, living in a humble goat pen after an earthquake destroyed their ancestral home in 2015, tending to their crops, caring for cats, and practicing a nomadic approach to herding livestock, the first profession of the sherpas. They employ an old bachelor to assist with herding, as younger men in the village are scarce.
The notion of silence as virtue is so pervasive throughout the short documentary that it receives a credit at the end of the film. There is a noticeable lack of communication between father and son; the filmmaker's mother speaks of her experiences openly, the narrator comments that he and his father talk little, and his father offers little insight in comparison, primarily communicating with his wife. Even in his declining health, they sit in silence: "Within the silence between us, I look for my answers." It is less of an unspoken understanding than an obscurification of feeling. This experience seems to be common amongst his peers, stating that "[his] friends also talk to their father[s] through silence."
The absence of a hospital in the village necessitates a 10-hour journey to Kathmandu for medical care. As the father's throat cancer progresses, the family's spiritual beliefs and rituals are expounded. Upon the father's passing, the family begins a 48-day ritualistic period of mourning typical of their community, which requires a significant financial commitment. The filmmaker remarks that in the past, he had thought such a long process for mourning was a waste of time and money, but now understands the need to mourn slowly before returning to everyday life, once again reflecting on the cultural role of silence: "In a culture where people don't express directly how each one feels, rituals help the mourning period." The son's introspection provides perspective on the importance of these rituals in helping them gradually accept the impermanence of life, though it would have been interesting to expand on the ritual process and delve into the intricacy of its practices in greater detail.
The film sensitively captures the emotional toll of loss–through her tears and quivering lips as she dutifully engages in rituals to celebrate and mourn her husband, the mother's pain is palpable. Realizing his mother's loneliness, the filmmaker contemplates whether he should have stayed with her. Providing coverage of the 67th International Short Film Festival Oberhausen, of which, besides being awarded a jury Commendation, Home was the first Nepalese film to be screened.
Home, in its relatively short runtime, conveys the essence of this elderly couple's unique existence and the simplicity of death as a natural fact of everyday life. It occasionally meanders, making the pacing somewhat uneven, and might have benefited from a more in-depth exploration of the rituals and practices showcased. Subtitles could be more accurate; while not particularly egregious, there are instances of minor mistakes throughout, though it does not detract from the overall mood and experience of the film.
Despite these minor issues, the documentary is quite moving and excels in conveying emotion, particularly a sense of loss and loneliness. It is clear that this is a deeply personal piece–it is less of an informative film than one meant to offer a glimpse into the subjects' lives. It is not particularly concerned with presenting information but evoking an emotional response from the viewer, which it does effectively.
What can this educational documentary be used as a resource for?
Home would be a valuable resource for academic and public library collections, as well as classroom viewings. In conjunction with informative texts, Home can serve as an excellent boon to classroom discussions.
What kind of film collection would this title be suitable for?
Home would be a great addition to world cinema and documentary film collections, particularly those focused on social issues and spirituality.
What subjects or college majors would benefit from the content covered in this film?
College students majoring in Anthropology, Religious Studies, and Cultural Studies could benefit from a short screening of Home, coupled with a more in-depth exploration of the cultural and spiritual practices depicted.