This deeply immersive, transformative documentary observes pilgrims as they take a spectacular cable car ride – 1,302 metres above the Nepali jungle – on an ancient route to Manakamana, the famed site of the temple of the Hindu goddess Bhagwati.
The filmmakers Stephanie Spray and Pacho Velezhave have employed a very simple format, with passengers speaking (or not) to camera whilst travelling to this intensely sacred and mystical place – floating high up, with the beautiful, mysterious green jungle below them – but the cumulative effect is utterly spellbinding, with many of the pilgrims’ faces telling their own silent stories, and the lack of a voiceover providing a pure, refreshing and meditative viewing experience.
Manakamana is a travel film that’s not about the ride, but the riders. Ourselves included, of course.
Jonathan Romney, Film Comment
