| Children of the Snow Land | |
| Director: | Zara Balfour Marcus Stephenson |
| Starring: | Nima Gurung Sangpo Lama Tsering Deki Lama Jeewan Mahatara |
| Music: | Chris Roe |
| Editing: | Graham Taylor |
| Production Companies: | --> |
| Distributors: | --> |
| Country: | Nepal United Kingdom |
| Language: | Nepali English |
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.
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 as patron.
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.
Credits adapted from I Will Tell.[5]
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.[6] 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."[7] 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.[8]
| Year | Award | Category | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Autrans Mountain Film Festival | Prix Ina Best First Film | [9] | |
| Valletta Film Festival | Teen Choice Award | [10] | ||
| Audience Award | ||||
| Nepal Human Rights International Film Festival | Best International Non-fiction | [11] | ||
| Swiss Mountain Film Festival | Best Film | [12] | ||
| DOC LA | Best International Documentary | [13] | ||
| London Independent Film Festival | Best Documentary Feature | [14] | ||
| 2019 | Victoria Film Festival | Best Documentary | [15] | |
| Cineplex Audience Award |