Children of the Snow Land

Children of the Snow Land is a 2019 Nepalese English feature documentary film written and directed by Zara Balfour, and Marcus Stephenson. The film is produced by Zara Balfour and Marcus Stephenson, and Executive Produced by Christopher Hird. The documentary stars Nima Gurung, Sangpo Lama, Tsering Deki Lama, and Jeewan Mahatara in the lead roles. The documentary is about education in Nepal.[1] The film premiered at the Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival (KIMFF).[2] It was released in UK cinemas with over 60 screenings nationwide, was shown on TV channels worldwide including Arte, BBC, Nippon and more, it won the BIFA Raindance Discovery Award,[3] and 25 awards at film festivals worldwide, including Best Documentary at the Victoria Film Festival and London Independent Film Festival.[4] It is available to stream on Curzon Home Cinema.

Children of the Snow Land
Directed byZara Balfour
Marcus Stephenson
StarringNima Gurung
Sangpo Lama
Tsering Deki Lama
Jeewan Mahatara
Edited byGraham Taylor
Music byChris Roe
Release date
  • 2017 (2017) (KIMFF)
CountriesNepal
United Kingdom
LanguagesNepali
English

Produced by Picture on the Wall Productions and Mayfly TV, Distributed by Dartmouth Films, Sales agent Taskovski Films.

This film was the catalyst for director Zara Balfour to start an NGO, Snowland Journeys, to support the Nepalese children and communities featured in the film, which has Dame Joanna Lumley[5] as patron.

Synopsis

In remote parts of Nepal parents are sending their children to a school run by Buddhist monks in Kathmandu, capital of Nepal hoping to give them a better life. For about ten or more years the children's do not see their parents nor speak to them. Three students including Nima, Sangpo, and Tsering trek back to Himalayas their parents are waiting for them to be raised on the world of technology. Whilst trekking they film themselves and speak to the camera about their thoughts and feelings. Nima describes how his father dropped him at the school with even saying goodbye which made his heartbreak.

Cast

Credits adapted from I Will Tell.[6]

  • Nima Gurung
  • Sangpo Lama
  • Tsering Deki Lama
  • Jeewan Mahatara

Reception

Critical response

The film received praise from critics and audiences. Cath Clarke of The Guardian wrote, "You can count the miles. But with enormous sensitivity the film observes the distance these bright, confident city kids have travelled from poverty," giving it a rating of three out of five.[7] Nigel Andrews of Financial Times wrote, "It’s a wonderfully touching documentary", "And almost a proof that everyone has a story — even a film — inside his or her life."[8] Brady Clark of The Upcoming wrote, "...the tragedy of the documentary is equalled with the warmth of family and the optimism of its subjects." and gave the film three stars out of five.[9]

Accolades
Year Award Category Result Ref(s)
2018 Autrans Mountain Film Festival Prix Ina Best First Film Won [10]
Valletta Film Festival Teen Choice Award Won [11]
Audience Award Won
Nepal Human Rights International Film Festival Best International Non-fiction Won [12]
Swiss Mountain Film Festival Best Film Won [13]
DOC LA Best International Documentary Won [14]
London Independent Film Festival Best Documentary Feature Won [15]
2019 Victoria Film Festival Best Documentary Won [16]
Cineplex Audience Award Won

References
  1. "British Council Film: Children of the Snow Land". film.britishcouncil.org. Retrieved 2019-03-25.
  2. "List of kimff Selected Films & kimff Stats – 2017". KIMFF. Retrieved 2019-03-25.
  3. "Children of the Snow Land · BIFA · British Independent Film Awards". BIFA · British Independent Film Awards. 2019-10-30. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  4. O’Connell, Alex (2019-03-14). "Children of the Snow Land: Have a good time at school — see you in 12 years". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 2019-03-25.
  5. "Joanna Lumley", Wikipedia, 2023-04-19, retrieved 2023-04-19
  6. "CHILDREN OF THE SNOWLAND – I Will Tell International Film Festival". Archived from the original on 2019-03-25. Retrieved 2019-03-25.
  7. Clarke, Cath (2019-03-14). "Children of the Snow Land review – city kids trek home to remote lives". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2019-03-25.
  8. Andrews, Nigel (2019-03-13). "Children of the Snow Land — a wonderfully touching documentary about five Nepalese teenagers". Financial Times. Retrieved 2019-03-25.
  9. Clark, Brady. "Children of the Snow Land | Movie review". The Upcoming. Retrieved 2019-03-25.
  10. d’Autrans, Festival International du Film de Montagne (2019-02-26). "2018 | Festival International du Film de Montagne d'Autrans". Festival International du Film de Montagne d’Autrans – 04-08 décembre 2019 (in French). Retrieved 2019-03-25.
  11. "VALLETTA FILM FESTIVAL 2018 -TEENS ONLY". Valletta Film Festival. Retrieved 2019-03-25.
  12. "WinnerList | Nepal Human Rights International Film Festival". nhriff.hrfilms.org. Retrieved 2019-03-25.
  13. "SWISS MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL" (PDF).
  14. "2018 DOC LA — Los Angeles Documentary Film Festival". docla. Retrieved 2019-03-25.
  15. "London Independent Film Festival". www.liff.org. Archived from the original on 2016-02-24. Retrieved 2019-03-25.
  16. "VFF 2019 Awards! – Victoria Film Festival". Archived from the original on 2019-03-25. Retrieved 2019-03-25.
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