This is a moving and beautifully shot documentary from the remote region of Zanskar, which is technically a part of Inida, but culturally a part of Tibet. It concerns the life changes facing two young girlfriends, Tenzin (22) and Palkit (25), as they come to the point in their lives where they will leave their homes and start new lives.
For Tenzin she comes home one day to find that her family have already drunk the chang, which seals her marriage to a stranger. She has no say in the matter at that point as tradition lies heavy in this culture, and we see the amazingly ritualised ‘kidnapping’ of the bride after weeks of preparations.
Palkit, however, is against marriage and has been insisting on becoming a nun, in which she is supported by her mother, but opposed by her father. Fortunately she is able to insist and gets her way and is allowed to leave for Dharamsala in hope of finding a nunnery.
That is by no means the end though as the journey out of Zanskar is anything but easy, and she has to walk along treacherous waterways, over ice, and climb sheer cliffs like a mountain goat to get to her destination. And even when she is there it is by no means easy to find a nunnery to accept her.
The background to the film is the harsh, but beautiful mountains of Zanskar, and the traditions that this valley has held for centuries, and the film is very emotionally charged as people find themselves with little control over their own destiny.
One of the most memorable films I have seen in a long time, the film was made by Jean-Michel Corillion, originally it seems in French, but the version presented here has English narration. Marianne Chaud, whose films I have featured elsewhere on this site, was also involved in the making of this film.
if this video is no longer available please leave a comment so I can update the page
(the comment is not published)
Do you have an update on the two ladies from Becoming a Woman in Zanskar?????
Yes what happened to them? Are they happy?
Please can you provide an update on Tenzin and Palkit? I just watched the documentary last night and probably the best I have ever seen… stunning cinematography, fascinating to “be” with these people and so moved and sad for the lovely girts and their heart break at separating and leaving each other and all they know and love behind.
I would really like to know myself what happened to these young women, I definitely think there is a case for a follow up film, but this website only embeds the videos, we are not making them, but curating them. If anyone has news though please do post here.
Thank you 🙂 !
Regards,
Jean-Michel Corillion / Director of “Becoming a woman in Zanskar”
Thank you for such a wonderful film Jean-Michel !
2020 and I wonder too what happened to those ladies, it will be awesome to know or maybe a 2nd video about their lives..
What an incredible film. Beautifully told. Thanks a ton for bringing this to us Jean-Michel. Will look for ypur otherr films as well.
Jeez, I was only flicking through youtube looking to pass the time, and here we are, sitting in my office, blown away by this film. Wow, just wow. Thanks so much for this incredible moving piece!
wonderful story ! thanks.
What a wonderful story. I cried throughout the film. Oh how I wish Jean-Michel could let us in as to what happened…I pray they are both happy.
I hope the two young women are happy and at peace. Life is but a dream,,,,,,,
Muy hermoso documental. Mucha tristeza por las jóvenes ojala sean felices y muy bellos paisajes.
I extremely want to knew where Palkid now I really missed her
I got this from french website about this documentary. Tenzin has two children now and Palkit left Dharamsala convent to return to Zanskar and married the man she chose
Thank you for the update Ram
Today I watch your documentary.. becoming woman in Zanskar, i am very happy to watch it. I want to go there with my friends. I want to feel and watch Zanskar village life… thank you very much !