Low-budget movies often feature a cast made up of amateur performers so the filmmakers can save money. But in the case of some foreign films, the decision to cast amateurs has as much to do with getting a sense of "authenticity" as it does with budgetary restraints.
Sometimes that strategy can backfire, but sometimes, as with "Himalaya," the experiment works — and quite well.
Though the cast of this surprisingly involving drama (which was nominated for the Best Foreign Film Oscar in 2000, losing to "All About My Mother") is completely non-professional, few "professional" ensembles have been better. Also, this is a refreshingly different story — one that relies on characterization and real-life drama to earn audience interest, rather than special effects or ludicrous plot conceits.
What action there is takes place in the Dolpo region of northwestern Nepal (very near the Tibetan border), where nomadic herdsman continue to eke out a meager existence in extremely primitive conditions. In fact, many tribes have to make treacherous, months-long journeys just to accumulate supplies of such staples as salt, which they then trade for other needed supplies.
Such is the case of the fictional, small Dolpopan village portrayed in "Himalaya," where the chief has recently died. To most of the villagers, it seems obvious that the chief's best friend, Karma (Gurgon Kyap), should succeed him. However, the village's former leader, who is also the late chief's father (Thilen Lhondup), suspects that Karma may have had to do something with his son's death, and he vows to find a more appropriate choice to lead the tribe.
Adding fuel to the fire is the fact that the village needs to make another supply run soon, and the weather may not cooperate much longer.
Director Eric Valli found his inspiration while working as a unit director on 1997's "Seven Years in Tibet," and it's clear that this is a labor of love. With help from four French screenwriters, he's crafted a story that's more compelling than the yawn-inducing 1997 documentary "The Saltmen of Tibet," which covered some of the same territory.
Again, a lot of credit has to go to the cast, which largely consists of real-life Tibetans and Nepalese. Besides Lhondup and Kyap, young Pemba Bika excels, giving one of the most natural and least cloying child performances in recent memory.
"Himalaya" is not rated but would probably receive a PG for a brief, discreet sex scene, scattered use of mild profanity (most of it religiously based), glimpses of nude artwork and scenes of peril. Running time: 104 minutes.
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