Himalaya

Filmed in the remote Dolpo region of Nepal, this postcard-pretty look at an ancient tradition of the local mountain villagers is stunning for its breathtaking setting but less than captivating as drama. Custom demands that the tribal chief lead an annual salt caravan across treacherous mountain passes to trade for grain, but when the new leader dies trying, the responsibility falls to his retired father or a headstrong upstart who just may have been to blame for the chief's death. Wholly dependent on non-professional actors to dramatize an archetypal power struggle, the film slips rather fatally in establishing fully realized characters. Still, the pictures here are gorgeous! A strong optional purchase. (T. Rich)[DVD/Blu-ray Review—Dec. 31, 2013—Kino Lorber, 104 min., in Tibetan w/English subtitles, not rated, DVD: $29.95, Blu-ray: $34.95—Making its latest appearance on DVD and first on Blu-ray, 1999's Himalaya sports a great transfer with Dolby Digital 5.1 sound on DVD, and DTS-HD 5.1 audio on Blu-ray. Extras include audio commentary by director Éric Valli and photographer Debra Kellner, a "making-of" featurette (27 min.), a press kit with behind the scenes footage (5 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: this Oscar nominee for Best Foreign Film looks beautiful, especially on Blu-ray.]