Indian & Tibetan Cinema
Hindi/Urdu cinema is the most prolific in the world, churning out literally hundreds of films a year. Centred in Mumbai (once Bombay), it has earned the nickname 'Bollywood' (see 'Browse the Aisles' sub-category 'Bollywood Masala'). The cinema Western audiences are used to from India is what local audiences there would term 'art films'. These are not widely patronised in India, but many such as 'The Apu Trilogy' from Bengali director Satyajit Ray and the works of Mira Nair like 'Salaam Bombay' and 'Monsoon Wedding' have been received to great acclaim in the wider world.
This section is called 'Indian & Tibetan'. From Tibet we have (at the moment) just a handful of films. But as film makers emerge from this region Alice is committed to expanding our collection from both Tibet and India.
Samsara (2001)
7.8/10
Director: Pan Nalin
Starring: Christy Chung, Shawn Ku
Indian born filmmaker Pan Nalin makes his directorial debut with this sensual, elegant look at sex and spirituality. Tashi (Shawn Ku) is a brilliant y... Read more
Monsoon Wedding (2001)
7.4/10
Director: Mira Nair
Starring: Lilete Dubey, Vijay Raaz, Roshan Seth, Naseeruddin Shah
Director Mira Nair's spicy, lively blend of Hollywood culture clash comedy and Bollywood musical entertainment follows a large and diverse Punjabi Ind... Read more
Lagaan (2001)
8.1/10
Director: Ashutosh Gowariker
Starring: Aamir Khan, Rachel Shelley, Gracy Singh
Aka 'Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India'. In 1890s India, drought-plagued villagers are faced with paying extraordinarily high "lagaan", or land tax, t... Read more
Asoka (2001)
Director: Santosh Sivan
Starring: Shahrukh Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Danny Denzongpa
A sweeping epic which traces the life of Emperor Asoka, the grandson of Chandragupta Maurya who ascended the throne of Magadha in the 3rd century B.C.... Read more
Bichhoo (2000)
4.6/10
Director: Guddu Dhanoa
Starring: Bobby Deol, Rani Mukerji, Ashish Vidyarthi
This is a Bollywood remake of the 1994 thriller 'Leon (The Professional)' with songs! Masala heart-throb Bobby Deol is Jeeva, the jaded assassin who... Read more
The Cup (1999)
6.9/10
Director: Khyentse Norbu
Starring: Jamyang Lodro, Neten Chokling
Filmed in the central Asian country of Bhutan and directed by Khyentse Norbu (recognised by Buddhists as an incarnation of a 19th century Tibetan sain... Read more
Himalaya (1999)
7.5/10
Director: Eric Valli
Starring: Thilen Lhondup, Gurgon Kyap, Lhakpa Tsamchoe
This epic portrayal of the traditional life of Tibetan Herdsmen is set in the bleak but majestic scenery of the Himalayas. The story centres on the yo... Read more
The Terrorist (1998)
7.2/10
Director: Santosh Sivan
Starring: Ayesha Dharker, Vishna Vardhan, Bhana Prakash
A highly acclaimed offering about a teen terrorist (Ayesha Dharkar) who, being a veteran of killings during 30 covert operations with a resistance gro... Read more
Windhorse (1998)
7/10
Director: Paul Wagner
Starring: Dadon, Jampa Kelsang, Richard Chang, Lu Yu
This compelling first feature from Academy Award-winning documentarian Paul Wagner tells the story of three young Tibetans and their search for freedo... Read more
Earth (1998)
7.8/10
Director: Deepa Mehta
Starring: Shabana Azmi, Nandita Das, Kulbushan Kharbanda
A powerful, moving tale about real people caught in a historical nightmare. The movie opens in Lahore of 1947, before India and Pakistan became indepe... Read more