Contemporary World Film Series: Travellers & Magicians (Bhutan), 108 mins

Directed by Khyentse Norbu
Screening Courtesy: Royal Embassy of Bhutan, which will provide whisky, rum, gin, and snacks.

7 pm, Monday June 16, 2014

This is the first Bhutanese film shot on location in the beautiful country, by a unique and dynamic director Khyentse Norbu, who is both a religious monk and a creative artiste. In fact he is considered a re-incarnated Buddhist monk, with a lofty title - His Eminence Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche.

Apart from his study of Buddhism, Norbu's interest in cinema took him to London's School of Oriental & African Studies, followed by a film course in New York's Film Academy. Then came an opportunity to work with the great Italian director Bernardo Bertolucci, when the latter consulted him, while making 'The Little Buddha.'

According to the Bhutanese director, ''Film is a medium, Buddhism is a science. You can be a scientist and a filmmaker at the same time."

Norbu made his first film The Cup in 1999, which was premiered at the Cannes Festival, and made him an international celebrity. The film was shot at a monastery in India.

Then came Travellers & Magicians in 2004 , a road movie that was shot in the lush mountains, valleys, and forests of Bhutan, with a talented, non-professional cast. The film captures the unique customs, rituals, traditions of Bhutan, as it recounts the story of Dondup, a restless government official who lives in an isolated village, but dreams of going to America. He fills his room with memorabilia from that country, wears T-shirts and sneakers from there.

When his visa papers arrive, Dondup rushes to catch the weekly bus to the capital city of Thimphu. But he misses it. Then, begins his road journey through the lush countryside, in the company of a lively monk, wizened apple seller, genial rice paper maker, his lovable daughter.

The monk regales them with a story about a young magician and his unexpected tryst with an attractive woman, which seems to echo Dondup's increasing interest in the rice paper maker's daughter. The story within the story, in the best of Bhutan's story-telling traditions, is candid, witty, multi-layered, as it shows the clash between the old and new worlds, even in this magical, mystical country.

The film created waves at festivals in the US, Europe, Asia, and further enhanced the reputation of Bhutan's iconic monk film maker.

For info on the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand, including location:

http://fccthai.com/

Great movie!

Looking forward to seeing it tonight.

Isn't it next Monday, the 16th?

Yes sorry! Next Monday indeed.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

For info on the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand, including location:

http://fccthai.com/

Hi SJ.

Is it something you have to book for or just attend?

For info on the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand, including location:

http://fccthai.com/

Hi SJ.

Is it something you have to book for or just attend?

No booking necessary, and it's free.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGQlrNorYWc

Thank you very BIG fabianfred for your link.

Have downloaded this movie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGQlrNorYWc

Win

I had to watch it on the Youtube player to see the subtitles... when I downloaded it there were none..

Hi fabianfred

Same here last night when I tried to watch it.

Any clues to why ? anyone?

Do we need to add Subtitle Files ? and if so where do we get them.

Win

I think it's because you also need to download a separate subtitles file. On youtube whoever rendered the movie did it from an AVI converted to mp4, I imagine, and the conversion must have included the subs.