Dreaming the Himayalas

Dreaming the Himalayas

Explore the magic and mystery of Tibet!

Fascinating landscapes, culture, philosophies, buddhas, yogis, saints and demons,
living nuns and monks, monasteries ancient and modern,
holistic medicine and magnificent Everest.
Shrouded in mystery and situated at the roof of the world.
See here for the full time schedule.

DREAMING THE HIMALAYAS contains a broad spectrum of films, most of which have never been screened before in Cape Town. Some of the films are recent releases, some much older. Older films are included as contents is excellent and provide wide range of interest.
# Indicates films with archival footage of uncertain quality.

LIST OF FILMS

BLESSINGS: THE TSOKNYI NANGCHEN NUNS OF TIBET (2009; 104 min, some subtitles)

This is the story of an extraordinary journey: a meeting of East and West at a remote nomadic region of eastern Tibet. The film narrates the compelling story of hundreds of yoginis keeping alive ancient enligtenment practices (under unimaginable conditions) and the profound influence they had on a group of westerners who visited them. It is an inspiration to human beings everywhere seeking a spiritual path through the challenges of 21st-century life. The film contains unforgettable images and words. Narrated by Richard Gere and interview with Tenzin Palmo.
Click here to read more on BLESSINGS

EVEREST (1999, 44 min)

Relive a breathtaking journey to the top of the world, filmed during the infamous 1996 storm that tragically claimed eight lives. Narrated by Academy Award-nominee Liam Neeson, including the music of George Harrison, with stunning cinematography, Everest is a rich, dramatic story: a daring adventure of triumph and tragedy that will leave you spellbound.

LOST WORLD OF TIBET (2008; 90 min)

Dan Cruickshank presents this illuminating documentary about life in Tibet prior
to the Chinese occupation of 1950.
Colour films dating back to that period have been carefully restored, revealing significant details about Tibetan culture and giving insight into the Tibet of today.

THE SALTMEN OF TIBET (2002; 108 min; subtitled)

A German documentary. This fascinating and visually appealing film follows four Tibetan saltmen as they make a month long journey to the salt flats to harvest salt for their tribe. The documentary is set so the Tibetans tell their own story to the backdrop of Tibet and its mountains and harsh weather. The story is compelling and it leads you into lives of the saltmen so much that you can appreciate their loss and concerns when one of the yaks falls ill. To the saltmen the journey is a holy pilgrimage full of its own rituals and spiritual meaning, with even their own secret “salt language”. A rivetting glimpse into a dying tradition.

SEVEN YEARS IN TIBET # (1957 – 2006; 76 min)

This is the original, incredible drama documentary that inspired the Hollywood blockbuster starring Brad Pitt.
It depicts the true tale of Austrian mountaineer Heinrich Harrer, his escape from
a WW2 prison camp in 1944 and escape over the Himalayas, with his own footage filmed in Lhasa and scenes of him as tutor of the young Dalai Lama.
Although dated and rather quaint in its overall style, it shows slices of life in Tibet up until the Dalai Lama fled to India, giving it invaluable historical value.
“Wherever I live, I shall feel homesick for Tibet. I can still hear the cries of wild geese and cranes as they fly over Lhasa in the clear cold moonlight.”

THE SPIRIT OF TIBET (2006 on DVD; 47 min)

Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche is one of Tibet's greatest contemporary teachers - renowned as a great meditator, guru, poet, scholar and as one of the main teachers of the Dalai Lama. Shot in rarely filmed Kham, Eastern Tibet, as well as Nepal, Bhutan, India and France, this film is a hymn of praise showing the rich and intricate tapestry of Tibetan Buddhism and is a witness to the strength, wisdom and depth of Tibetan culture. Narrated by Richard Gere with music by Philip Glass.

TIBETAN MEDICINE # (58 min)

This documentary by Men Tsee Khang, the medical and astrological institute in Dharamsala, gives a comprehensive overview of traditional Tibetan medicine, with its emphasis on compassionate, holistic healing.

This film is preceded by a documentary of 20 minutes:
LEARNING THE TIBETAN WAY:
Three young women doctors educated by Rokpa Trust in Tibet.

THE YOGIS OF TIBET # (2002; 77 min; subtitled)
This rare footage provides a glimpse into the life of a Yogi. Yogis with vows of secrecy speak openly for the first time, due to their desire to preserve the centuries old yogic traditions for posterity. Yogi: “An individual who has spent years in isolated retreat practising secret self-transforming physical and mental exercises.”

THE WHEEL OF TIME # (2003; UK/Germany/France; 80 minutes). Werner Herzog’s beautiful film explores the Buddhist Kalachakra initiation: the creation of a sand mandala. It includes interviews with the Dalai Lama, and shows him not on a platform discussing contemporary issues, but what he is really here to do: praying with 1000s of pilgrims. Footage includes some secret rituals and a pilgrimage to the holy Mount Kailash in Tibet, with a powerful soundtrack of Tibetan music and monks’ chanting. “Astonishingly moving” - BBC

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Dreaming the Himayalas

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