By Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, Aug 18: Thinley Lhamo, the lead actor in Shambhala, a film prominently featuring a Tibetan cast and directed by Nepalese filmmaker Min Bahadur Bham, has been honoured with the prestigious Boccalino d’Oro Prize for Best Acting Performance at the 77th Locarno Film Festival. The festival is held from August 7 to 17, 2024, in Switzerland.
In a press release issued on Saturday, the film’s team announced the honour, stating, “Shambhala team extends our heartfelt congratulations to Thinley and the entire team on this extraordinary accomplishment. This is a historic win and a first-of-its-kind recognition of a South Asian actor. Not only is this award recognition of Thinley’s exceptional performance but also a testament to the emerging Nepali talents. It highlights the region’s growing influence on the global cinematic stage.”
Filmed entirely in Tibetan language, Thinley plays the role of Pema, the film’s protagonist, who is a pregnant woman living in remote Dolpo, Nepal. Pema is in a polyandrous marriage with Tashi and his two younger brothers. When Tashi fails to return from a trading trip, leaving the legitimacy of her unborn child in doubt, Pema embarks on a journey to find him. As she searches for Tashi, Pema’s journey transforms into a profound spiritual quest for self-discovery and liberation, transcending the mere search for her missing husband.
The film was previously featured in the prestigious line up of the 74th Berlin International Film Festival, where it premiered in the Main Competition at the Berlinale Palast on February 23. Shambhala also won the Best Cinematography award at the Bishkek International Film Festival 2024 in Kyrgyzstan.
