Shambala: A woman’s Nirvana

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Feb. 27: The highly acclaimed film Shambala has been chosen as the opening film for the 8th Nepal International Film Festival NIFF (2025). 

The film has been selected in the category of World Panorama which is an international category for feature films. 

 Shambala has already created significant international recognition. It was the only South Asian Film in the competitive section of the prestigious Berlin Film Festival where its female lead Thinley Lamho won the Best Actress Award in the Berlinale Competition. The film features versatile actor of Nepal Karma Shakya, with Karma Wangyal Gurung, Tenzin Dalha, Karma Wangyal Gurung and Sonam Topden. 

The two-hour and 30-minute long film is about polyandry. The film competes with other 11 other movies from around the world at NIFF. Made in the Tibetan language, the film has a setting of upper Dolpo which is defined as the exotic mountain area in Nepal. 

Director Min Bahadur Bham and cinematographer Aziz Zhambakiyiv predominantly project the story through long shots, seamlessly capturing the beauty of the setting.

The plot establishes Nepal as a majestic land of mountains where one can attain Nirvana. The taint of patriarchy makes the story convincing. Three dream sequences signifying the inner psyche of the character is an intriguing narrative style. The film is a treat for those who seek peaceful passage in their lives. A female protagonist’s journey in the pursuit of bringing back her love is not for mere love or romance but it carries a deeper significance. The story also subtly unveils that patriarchal norms impose burdens not only on women but on men as well. The film festival will be held from  March 20 to 24 in the QFX at Civil Mall and Chhaya Center.