Ballad From Tibet (2017)

"They are not looking for sympathy, just for a chance"

Ballad from Tibet was exactly what I needed today. A feel good film based on a real life event, that showed the power of determination, dreams, and friendship. Oh, and the element that made it butterfly nip for me, it was a courageous road trip.

Thupten is a ten-year-old boy living in Tibet who only has the use of one eye. He has promised three of his blind friends-Sonam, Droma, and Kelsang-that he will guide them to the Lhasa airport. Thupten is in dire need of a surgery to save his one working eye, but his promise comes first. The trio have talked their way into an audition to be on a televised talent show in Shenzhen over 1000 miles away. The show has provided airplane tickets but they must make it to the airport first, a tricky proposition since they have to sneak out of town without the adults knowing. When their teacher comes looking for them, the four are forced to take a circuitous route to Lhasa, a daunting task as they wind up on foot and Thupten’s eye begins to rapidly deteriorate.

Despite the struggles the children faced on their trip, kind and generous people appeared to give them aid or advice. “A single cow must not leave its herd.” When disagreements blew up into arguments they rallied to stick together on their quest. One of my favorite elements was a biker gang who crossed paths with the adventurers. Another was the bag of “gifts/payments” the boys procured to hand out as they met people.

The acting was natural and minimal as the film used children with visual impairments. Most of the adult actors with the exception of a couple of them appeared to be either locals or lesser-known performers. My most major disappointment was that the song the children sang was muted for whatever reason. The end credits showed the actual children who made the trip with the sound so I’m not sure who opposed the song in the body of the film. The writing and editing were a bit choppy though the cinematography helped take my mind off those detriments. The message and poignancy of the children’s indefatigable spirits covered over most of the weaknesses as well.

The children weren’t perfect, they squabbled at times. For the most part, they stood by each other and faced the unknown darkness on the road to their dreams by overcoming their fears. Most were resigned to the jobs they would be offered after school-weavers and masseurs. Their main mission wasn’t to perform, it was to show the world that they had far more capabilities than people believed. Beautiful children with a song in their heart able to see more clearly than some of the people around them…mission accomplished.

30 April 2026

Note: I hadn't realized the problems of cataracts in Tibet. Perhaps this film brought that important concern to light with increased awareness and medical services.

Update: YouTube does have full sound with the children singing the song separately. Please check the link Anusaya provided below.

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