113. Children of the Snowland; movie review
Cert TBA
97 mins
BBFC advice: TBA
Can you imagine living in a village which is a dangerous 15-day trek across mountains from the nearest airport?
It cannot be a huge surprise that the educational attainment of youngsters in such remote areas is stifled.
But, for some families in the Himalayas, a choice has emerged to send their children away to be educated albeit with the possibility of never seeing them again.
This is thanks to Guru Rinpoche, a monk from the region who has set up a boarding school in Nepal's capital, Kathmandu.
Children of the Snowland is a documentary by Zara Balfour and Marcus Stephenson which showcases the story of children who were given away by their parents at the age of four or five and given free access to education and a second home.
Three students, who are now 16, were given the chance to present their story while returning to their homelands for the first time in more than a decade.
After graduating from school, they make their individual journeys which are incredibly tough and go a long way to explaining why their relatives have never visited them.
Their return sees them encounter very mixed emotions thanks to both the delight of seeing parents and/or siblings but also feeling initially out of place after so long in the city.
Children of the Snowland is a remarkable undertaking - both because of its unique story and the huge amount of ground it covers across the stunning landscapes of remote Nepal.
It has alighted upon three enthralling stories which are told with detail and passion by the three young people.
Most of all it demonstrates the stoicism of parents who faced the heartbreaking decision to give their children away so they could lead better lives.
And it highlights the benevolence of Guru Rinpoche and his unnamed sponsors who have made the Snowland school a reality.
Reasons to avoid: A tad repetetive in parts
Laughs: Two
Jumps: None
Vomit: None
Nudity: None
Overall rating: 8.5/10
Did you know? The film has already inspired donations of over $30,000 to directly help the Nepalese children.
The final word. Zara Balfour and Marcus Stephenson: "When we found out that many Himalayan children don't get to see their parents for 10 to 12 years whilst at school in the city, we were compelled to bring their story to the screen. We trained the students in film making so that they could tell their story directly and intimately. We then travelled and filmed with them as they returned home."
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