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Movies / On DVD / Travellers & Magicians
Travellers & Magicians

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Travellers & Magicians (2005)

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95 %
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Reviews Counted: 56

Fresh: 53

Rotten:3

Average Rating: 7.4/10

Consensus: Interwined tales of spiritual discovery are set against a gorgeous, evocative landscape in this pleasant, engaging import.

Runtime: 1 hr 48 mins

Genre: Foreign Films

Synopsis: Writer-director Khyentse Norbu, who scored an international hit with the 1999 drama THE CUP (PHORPA), about Tibetan refugees obsessed with watching the World Cup soccer finals, returns to his... Writer-director Khyentse Norbu, who scored an international hit with the 1999 drama THE CUP (PHORPA), about Tibetan refugees obsessed with watching the World Cup soccer finals, returns to his homeland to make the remarkably charming and engaging TRAVELLERS & MAGICIANS, the first feature-length film to be made completely within the Kingdom of Bhutan. Norbu, who worked with Bernardo Bertolucci on 1997's LITTLE BUDDHA, is believed to be His Eminence Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche, an incarnate lama, and he infuses TRAVELLERS & MAGICIANS with a thoughtful and contemplative Buddhist mind-set. Tshewang Dendup stars as Dondup, a young, impatient cigarette smoker from the city who has stopped by the small, remote village of Chendebji on his way to America, where he can't wait to make lots of money. But as he sets out on his long journey, he misses his bus and must try to hitch a ride down the mountain on the nearly deserted roads. He is soon joined by an old apple picker (Ap Dochu), a monk who plays the dramyin (Sonam Kinga), a rice-paper maker (Dasho Adab Sangye), and the rice-paper maker's college-age daughter (Sonam Lhamo). As they wait for rides, the monk begins relating a story about a magic student, Tashi (Lhakpa Dorji), who doesn't believe in magic and would rather start making money in the corporate world. But his brother, Karma (Namgay Dorjee), who does believe, concocts a plan that soon has Tashi stranded in the middle of the forest with a bitter old man (Gomchen Penjore) and his beautiful, much-younger wife, Deki (Deki Yangzom). Norbu magnificently intertwines the two stories, creating an enchanting, unforgettable film that is filled with heart, hope, and humor. [More]

Starring: Tshewang Dendup, Ap Dochu, Sonam Kinga, Sonam Lhamo

Starring: Tshewang Dendup, Ap Dochu, Sonam Kinga, Sonam Lhamo, Dasho Adab Sangye, Lhakpa Dorji, Ngawang Dorjee, Gomchen Penjore, Deki Yangzom

Director: Khyentse Norbu

Director: Khyentse Norbu
Screenwriter: Khyentse Norbu
Producer: Jeremy Thomas, Raymond Steiner, Malcolm Watson

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Oct 25, 2005

No Details Exist
 
 

Reviews for Travellers & Magicians

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1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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For Norbu, filmmaking has become his form of thangka painting

Full Review Source: Old School Reviews | comment Comment
10/18/08
John A. Nesbit
Old School Reviews
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment Comment
10/18/08
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile

There is much more to Travellers & Magicians than a mere travelogue, and the journey is well worth the price of admission.

Full Review Source: Film Journal International | comment Comment
03/01/07
Eric Monder
Film Journal International
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
06/24/06
Geoff Andrew
Time Out

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Sacramento News & Review | comment Comment
05/12/06
Jim Lane
Sacramento News & Review
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: AV Club | comment Comment
09/26/05
AV Club

All Norbu's posturing for a greater spiritual meaning never materialized, though it still looms as an assured work.

Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | comment Comment
05/28/05
Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

With its spiritual underpinnings and scenic splendor, the film casts a distinctive top-of-the-world spell.

Full Review Source: Fresno Bee | comment Comment
05/13/05
Donald Munro
Fresno Bee
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Sydney Morning Herald | comment Comment
05/13/05
Sydney Morning Herald

It's a disappointment to report that Bhutanese filmdom is not off to a good start.

Full Review Source: Arizona Daily Star | comment Comment
05/04/05
Phil Villarreal
Arizona Daily Star

Pretty enough, but one kind of hopes for a little magic in a movie with "magicians" in its title.

Full Review Source: Orlando Sentinel | comment Comment
04/29/05
Roger Moore
Orlando Sentinel

A gentle challenge to the all-American delusion that every citizen of a foreign land would be better off here.

Full Review Source: Orlando Weekly | comment Comment
04/21/05
Steve Schneider
Orlando Weekly

Pleasant and often beautiful.

Full Review Source: Kansas City Star | comment Comment
04/15/05
Robert W. Butler
Kansas City Star

It's a leisurely yet resonant film that reinforces the power of cinematic storytelling.

Full Review Source: Dallas Morning News | comment Comment
04/07/05
Philip Wuntch
Dallas Morning News
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

It will probably not be long remembered, but it charms and entertains in the moment, at least.

Full Review Source: EricDSnider.com | comment Comment
03/28/05
Eric D. Snider
EricDSnider.com

Uses a folktale or parable to impart its message about the simple pleasures in life, and it's the telling of that story that makes it watchable and worthwhile.

Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City | comment Comment
03/25/05
Jeff Vice
Deseret News, Salt Lake City

There may be moments where the audience feels as restless as Dondup, eager to get a move on, but by the end you'll appreciate the way [it] lingers on the little things.

Full Review Source: Salt Lake Tribune | comment Comment
03/25/05
Sean Means
Salt Lake Tribune

The Himalayan scenery, majestic mountains, and verdant valleys are as breathtaking and well-shot as one could hope for.

Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
03/20/05
Marc Savlov
Austin Chronicle
N/R

Mainly notable for its exoticism and gorgeous scenery.

Full Review Source: Hollywood Reporter | comment Comment
03/16/05
Frank Scheck
Hollywood Reporter
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Refreshingly quiet and thoughtful.

Full Review Source: Houston Chronicle | comment Comment
03/11/05
Bruce Westbrook
Houston Chronicle
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
 
 
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