Watch Dreaming Lhasa

Dreaming Lhasa is a 2005 Tibetan drama film directed by Ritu Sarin and Tenzin Sonam. The film explores the story of a young Tibetan-American woman, Karma, who travels to Dharamshala, India, to make a documentary about former political prisoners who have escaped from Tibet. Her film centers around stories of how Tibetans were oppressed and continue to suffer under Chinese rule.

Through her work, Karma meets a former monk, Dhondup (Tenzin Jigme), who is seeking the whereabouts of a missing nun. Dhondup’s search takes him to Dharamshala where he meets Karma, and they begin a friendship that leads to romance. Meanwhile, Karma decides to help Dhondup in his search by collaborating with Jigme (Tenzin Chokyi Gyatso), a wise and wizened local guide who knows the ins and outs of the area.

As the three of them travel together through the bustling streets of Dharamshala, visit monasteries and talk to other ex-political prisoners, they find that their own stories intertwine with those of the people they were trying to document. Ultimately, what emerges is a heartfelt and authentic portrait of a community in exile that possesses both profound wisdom and a spirit of resilience.

Throughout the film, the theme of identity is explored, with Karma as the outsider searching for her own roots but also seeking to understand the experiences and identity of the people she is filming. The film also touches on themes of memory and the importance of preserving it, not just through the Tibetan personal accounts that the film documents, but also historically through their country's landmarks and cultural monuments.

The stunning cinematography serves as a visual tribute to the beauty of Tibet and the Himalayas, the landscape where the story is set. The filmmakers focus on breathtaking mountain ranges, sweeping panoramas of the Indian countryside, and close-ups of the intricate artwork of thangkas (Tibetan traditional paintings).

The acting in Dreaming Lhasa is exceptional. Tenzin Jigme’s portrayal of Dhondup is a standout performance, with his quiet strength and depth of feeling conveying the emotional toll of exile and loss. Tenzin Chokyi Gyatso’s Jigme is charming and warm, and his character is a clever and compassionate guide. Karma, played by Tenzin Dolker, is the film’s protagonist, and she delivers a heartfelt and relatable character who is struggling with her own sense of belonging.

Overall, Dreaming Lhasa is a touching and insightful film about the Tibetan diaspora, revealing a genuine deep love for the land and the people. It may not provide easy answers, but it is a beautiful representation of a people’s ongoing struggle for cultural and personal identity in the face of great hardship. The film is a moving testimony to the human spirit and a tribute to the resilience of the Tibetan people who face injustice, oppression, and violence but whose spirit lives on.

Dreaming Lhasa is a 2007 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4 and a MetaScore of 49.