Travellers and Magicians
Synopsis
Two men, two women, two journeys are woven into an intricate tapestry of desires as Travellers and Magicians takes us on an adventurous emotional tour through the heartland of Bhutanese Buddhist culture.
Set amidst the pristine beauty of the tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, our story follows the footsteps of Dondup, a handsome young government officer stationed in a rural outpost. But instead of revelling in the dignity of his position, Dondup has attitude. He is convinced that leaving Bhutan for the western world will satisfy all that he craves.
When opportunity knocks, it comes with a deadline. Dondup seizes the moment, lies to his senior officer, throws his suitcase out the window and hastily departs - unfortunately a touch too late. He misses his bus to the nearby town of Thimphu and, to his dismay, is left stranded on the road with two other travellers heading in the same direction - a Buddhist monk and a simple apple seller. Dondup's fear of spending a dark night under the stars alone subdues his arrogant display towards his fellow travellers and he joins them for a night around their fire on the roadside.
'Be careful with dreamlands..' the monk tells Dondup upon hearing of his plans to go to America, '...when you wake up, it might be unpleasant.' To pass the night away the good natured monk begins to tell the tale of Tashi, a lazy, disinterested student of sorcery who dreams of distant 'greener pastures' inhabited by beautiful women. One day his younger brother gives Tashi a magic potion that transports him through distant mountains and forests where he is unceremoniously dumped. In blinding rain the exhausted traveller stumbles upon an isolated hut where a cantankerous old man Agay and his beautiful young wife Deki offer him shelter.
The monk's tale continues throughout the journey as they make their way along the majestic mountain roads. Getting a lift for all of them becomes a mission and walking to Thimphu seems to be their destiny. Along the way they meet a series of colourful local characters but it is when Dondup meets a local beauty, Sonam, that his world starts to alter and his footsteps begin to falter. Will the monk's playful teasing change Dondup's view of his 'primitive' homeland, or will it be Sonam's beguiling smile?
Is he blinded by his hopes and schemes, is it lust or love, and what of his 'great American dream'? Dondup is wavering - should he leave or should he stay? The monk with the permanent smile knows. With his deadline looming, a ride finally appears but can only take two of the travellers...
Details
- Year
- 2004
- Type of film
- Features
- Running Time
- 107 mins
- Format
- 35mm
- Director
- Khyentse Norbo
- Producer
- Jeremy Thomas
- Executive Producer
- Jeremy Thomas
- Editor
- John Scott, Lisa Anne Morris
- Screenwriter
- Khyentse Norbo
- Director of Photography
- Alan Kozlowski
- Sound
- Andrew Plain
- Music
- Declan Dorjee, Donam Dorji, Michal The Girl
- Principal Cast
- Tschewang Dendup
Genre
Production status
Complete
Please let us know if we need to make any amendments to this Film entry mailing us directly at
Last updated 7th September 2006
