Cinema of Bhutan

The cinema of Bhutan is a small[1] but currently emerging industry,[2] dating back from the mid 1990s.[1] It has been supported by government officials and different businesses since then.[3]

The country's film industry is highly influenced by neighboring India's Bollywood, with most Bhutanese films being adaptations of Indian ones or based on the Bollywood format.[1] Recently, however, there have been calls by local filmmakers for a tilt towards originality in Bhutanese cinema. Many films have now started to blend Indian cinema with local Buddhist teachings and traditions, and Bollywood films are now rarely seen in Bhutanese cinema halls after more than a decade of domination.[2][1] Storytelling based on Buddhist oral history and supernatural beliefs are increasingly influencing Bhutanese cinematic structure.[4] In 2003, Travellers and Magicians was the first feature film to be entirely shot within Bhutan. As of 2011, Bhutan's film industry produces an average of thirty films a year.[3]

By 2012, Thimpu had six cinema halls.[5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Stancati, Margherita (23 May 2011). "Does Bhutan Love Bollywood Too Much?". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Mountains, makeshift cinemas: Bhutan's battle to make movies". Egypt Independent. 31 December 2014. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Bhutan film industry - report December 2011" (PDF). Bhutan Film Industry. 29 December 2011. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
  4. ↑ Chaudhuri, Shohini; Clayton, Sue (2012). "Storytelling in Bhutanese cinema: Research context and case study of a film in development". Journal of Screenwriting 3 (2): 197–204.
  5. ↑ Two new cinema halls in Thimphu - BBS