Travellers and Magicians

What a curious, beautiful film! Filmmaker Khyentse Norbu, believed to be the reincarnation of an important Tibetan lama, gifts viewers with a small gem that embodies not only the physicality of his gorgeous homeland--this is the first feature film to be shot entirely in the impossibly green and ruggedly mountainous kingdom of Bhutan--but the spirit of the tiny Buddhist nation as well. Here, where the people struggle with the challenges of 21st century life (and the king decrees that the Gross National Happiness be tracked), two connected stories unwind: in one, restless Dondup (Tsewang Dandup), eager to get to America--where he's sure he can make lots of money--is forced to hitch along country roads to reach his plane. In the other, related by a sly monk (Sonam Kinga) whom Dondup meets on the road, a reluctant student of magic named Tashi (Lhakpa Dorji) is lost in a lush, dreamlike forest. There's a breathless vitality to both men, both stories, and the film as a whole--an exhilarating reminder to live in the moment that will, paradoxically, haunt your memories. Highly recommended. [Note: DVD extras include the 28-minute “making-of” featurette “A Story From Bhutan,” seven minutes of behind-the-scenes Himalaya location footage (7 min.), a text interview with writer/director Khyentse Norbu, and a trailer. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a winning film.] (M. Johanson)