The Indian region of Ladakh conjures up images of picturesque landscapes, clear skies, highest mountain passes, adventure activities and ancient Buddhist monasteries. A sum of all this could be Ladakh for most of us but, like most things, there’s an exception; in this case Nordan, a Ladakhi teenager, could be singled out for his deep insight into the region. The documentary is an engaging story but what makes it compelling is that Nordan goes beyond the obvious. His curiosity about the place makes us feel as if we were there. He gives us a microscopic view of the area. From afar the Himalayas are lofty; in this film, one gets a close-up of the mountains along with their varied surfaces.
Coming to nature’s bounty, flowers seem to float along the clouds. We’re made aware that it takes a fistful of seeds to germinate into a plant; that which comes out of the earth goes back to the earth. What is taken for granted has turned out to be a visual delight. Beyond...