The Himalayan Boy and the TV Set
Documentary which provides a vivid glimpse into a vanishing way of life in a village in Bhutan, as new technology extends its tentacles even into these remote regions.
Documentary which provides a vivid glimpse into a vanishing way of life in the Himalayas, as new technology extends its tentacles even into these remote regions.
In 1999, the King of Bhutan made a landmark proclamation approving the use of television and the internet. The film begins at the end of this process as Laya, the last remaining village tucked away within the Himalayan kingdom, becomes enmeshed in roads, electricity and cable television. Through the eyes of Peyangki, an eight-year-old monk impatient with prayer and eager to acquire a TV set, the film documents the seeds of this seismic shift sprouting.
During a three-day journey to the thriving capital of Thimphu, the young boy discovers cars and toilets in the search for the perfect television to bring back to the village. The trip enforces the sense that their tranquil village life is about to become extinct.
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The family plan to buy a telly
Duration: 01:58
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Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes
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King's Speech
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Man of Bhutan
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Bhutan Loggers
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Happiness (Mountain Skipping)
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Happiness (Rooftop Cartwheel)
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Snowfall
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The Peak
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Car Ride
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Making Tar
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Catch the Breeze
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Television
Thomas Balmes, director of The Himalayan Boy and the TV Set, answers the Storyville Q&A
What is more important, story or character?
Both. Difficult to tell a good story without a good character and vice versa.
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What made you first want to explore the subject?
My kids perpetually asking me why we did not have any television when I was working essentially for TV for 25 years...
How long did it take to get the film off the ground?
Thanks to 麻豆社 Storyville commissioning editor Nick Fraser who was the first to believe in the project and was super reactive when needed, the film was entirely financed in one day in Amsterdam's Forum three years ago.
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What were you most surprised to learn in the course of production?
I am less and less surprised...
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What have been the differences in reception to the film in countries it has now travelled to?
The film is travelling all over the world in festivals and is doing very well but I guess that the strongest reactions came during the US screenings where I feel that people felt the most concerned by the subject.
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Which documentary has most inspired you?
Bob Connolly鈥檚 first chapter of his trilogy:
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Favourite Website/blog?
which looks at the world through worldwide press.
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Person you鈥檇 most like to interview (living or dead?)
My dad, who died too young at age 60 ten years ago.
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Best piece of filmmaking advice you鈥檝e ever been given?
Victor Kossakovsky鈥檚 10 Rules for documentary听filmmaking and my favourite:
鈥淒on鈥檛 film if you already knew your message before filming 鈥� just become a teacher.听 Don鈥檛 try to save the world. Don鈥檛 try to change the world.听 Better if your film will change you. Discover both the world and yourself whilst filming.鈥�
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Best piece of filmmaking equipment you can鈥檛 live without?
My Zeiss Super Speed Prime lens Series.
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If money was no object, what is your dream documentary subject?
Lucky me, I did spend the last 20 years of my life just doing my dream documentaries and people did follow me and gave me money to do them...
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Favourite film of all time?
鈥淭he 400 blows鈥� by Fran莽ois Truffaut.
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Most difficult access?
Nokia. When I did a documentary about them 12 years ago 鈥淎 Decent Factory鈥� which was commissioned by Storyville.
Best recent read?
Sylvain Tesson, ,听
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Series Editor | Nick Fraser |
| Director | Thomas Balmes |
| Producer | Thomas Balmes |
Broadcast
- Mon 22 Sep 2014 22:00
