DROKPA ~ A TRIBUTE TO THE LAST OF THE TIBETAN NOMADS

Directed by YAN CHUN SU

Date

July 20, 2019

About Project

DIRECTOR

YAN CHUN SU

COUNTRY

USA/CHINA

RUNNING TIME

79 mins

YEAR

2017

LANGUAGE

TIBETAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES

ABOUT THE FILM

This elegaic film follows the Tibetan nomads known as Dropka in what appears to be the closing years of their traditional existence. They are no longer free to roam; the Chinese government restricts them to allotments, and environmental changes are causing sand to encroach, destroying the grazing areas they depend on and threatening the water supply of hundreds of millions of Chinese. Haunting music and minimalist commentary accompany the visual record of their lifestyle, with its beauty, effort, and sometimes mysterious activities. Although they travel by tractor now, instead of yak, the Dropka are not willing to give up what they value.