Himalaya

An annual yak caravan across the mountains to trade salt for grain threatens to turn into disaster as two factions of a Tibetan village refuse to agree on a departure time or the path needed to avoid deadly snow storms. Village life has been disrupted by the death of a chief’s son and a power struggle ensues in which the chief refuses to share some of his leadership with his son’s best friend. The film may be too languidly paced for some tastes, but this story of torch passing between generations, revenge, romance, the perpetuation of religious beliefs and a powerful undertow of human perseverance in the face of overwhelming natural challenges builds in dramatic strength and is gorgeously photographed. Directed by Eric Valli.