“Shambhala" is Nepal’s official Oscar entry for the 97th Oscars in the International Feature Film category. The film is the first from Nepal to debut at the Berlinale, marking a landmark achievement for Nepali cinema on the global stage.
Set in Nepal, Shambhala follows the story of Pema, a pregnant woman who faces scrutiny after her first husband, Tashi, vanishes on a trade trip to Lhasa. The legitimacy of her pregnancy is questioned, prompting Pema to embark on a journey to find Tashi, ultimately leading to a path of self-discovery and liberation.
Directed by Nepalese filmmaker Min Bahadur Bham, Shambhala is produced by Shooney Films (Nepal) in collaboration with CDP (France), Ape&Bjørn (Norway), Aaru Production (Hong Kong), ZK Films (Turkey), Yi Tiao Long Hu Bao (Taiwan), Bangdel, and Shakya Production (US). The idea for Shambhala was rooted in Bham’s own personal experiences, a love letter to his existence. The film grapples with themes of spirituality, materialism, and family relationships, issues Bham has wrestled with since an early age. While the male characters in the film reflect aspects of himself, the female lead Pema represents his feminine side. The script of the movie went through 45 drafts, a process that allowed Bham to refine the film's themes and narrative.
“Shambhala,” a term from Tibetan Buddhism meaning a mystic, sacred realm of peace, begins in a Himalayan polyandrous village in Nepal. The film was shot in the Upper Dolpo region of the Himalayas, one of the highest human settlements on the planet, with locations between 4,200 and 6,000 meters in altitude. Filming in this challenging environment involved harsh weather, limited food options, and tough living conditions, particularly for the vegetarian crew members, who had little choice beyond yak meat and potatoes.
The film first garnered international attention at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival, premiering in the Main Competition on February 23 at the Berlinale Palast. Shambhala also earned the Best Cinematography award at the 2024 Bishkek International Film Festival in Kyrgyzstan. Its lead actress, Thinley Lhamo, a Tibetan refugee, received the prestigious Boccalino d’Oro Prize for Best Acting Performance at the 77th Locarno Film Festival. This win was a historic first for South Asia, highlighting Shambhala as a major achievement for both Nepali and Tibetan cinema on the global stage. Bham’s previous short film, The Flute, was the first Nepalese film to screen at the Venice International Film Festival. Shambhala now becomes the first Nepalese film selected for the Berlinale Competition.
“The film also benefited from international technical collaboration, contributing to the smooth working relationship on set. The production involved multinational cooperation, with producers from eight different countries”, Bibhakar Shakya from Bangdel & Shakya Productions mentioned in an interview with East-West Center Young Professional Prash Bajracharya. The production team included like-minded collaborators who shared his vision and commitment to bringing the project to life. The cast includes Thinley Lhamo, Sonam Topden, Tenzin Dalha, Karma Wangyal Gurung, Karma Shakya, Loten Namling, Janga Bahadur Lama, Tsering Lhamo Gurung, and Tsering Choeble Towa.
Looking ahead, the next major goal for Shambhala is to campaign for an Oscar nomination, said Shakya in the same interview. While the competition is fierce, Shakya views even a nomination as a prestigious achievement, especially as this is the first Nepali film with such international recognition. “We are already happy with how the production has turned out,” he adds.
Shakya also highlights the film’s aim to represent Nepali culture, particularly the harsh realities of life in Nepal’s mountainous regions, where agriculture is minimal and rainfall scarce. The film touches on Nepal’s commercial trade with Tibet, incorporating elements of Buddhist philosophy, such as the belief in karma, the role of Rinpoche (enlightened being), and the portrayal of family dynamics and relationships. An underlying message of the film is that one can find happiness with minimal resources, a theme that resonates deeply throughout the story.
The film has recently been released theatrically in Nepal, and there was uncertainty about how it will be received in the Nepali market, given its slower pace and the audience’s heavy exposure to Bollywood-style films. With a budget of around 1 million euros, a sum that would be difficult for Nepali producers to cover on their own, the film was designed with the international market in mind. The team has plans to hold future screenings in the US, though the dates are yet to be determined.
Prash Bajracharya is a Young Professional at the East West Center in Washington. She is currently pursuing her master's degree at McCourt School of Public Policy, Georgetown University.