The Last Lama: Mustang Today

An old lama waiting for his son, and a son who has already left his old life behind.

High in the Himalayas, a lama's priestly lineage faces the risk of coming to an end, as his son, who left for New York in search of a better life and now works as a sushi chef, never returns. Meanwhile, another lama continues an ancient ritual honoring the community. The Lama's Son casts a deep gaze on the Himalaya of today, caught between what is fading away and what is being preserved.

After the screening, there will be a talk about the culture and present-day changes of the Mustang region with Shakya Sujan Ratna, a member of the Ministry of Justice's Immigration Policy Committee, and a broadcaster.

■ Date/Time: Sep. 20(Sun), 2026 17:00

■ Venue: Alps Cinema 2

■ Participants

Shakya Sujan Ratna (Broadcaster, Author of A Very Personal Nepal)

The Lama's Son

Nepal, Switzerland | 2025 | 73min | Color | Documentary

A Lama’s priestly lineage in the high Himalaya is ending because his son, a sushi chef in New York, will not return to take over. Like him, people are migrating to distant places in search of better lives as well as to escape the deleterious effects of climate change.  Some mountains away, where development hasn’t reached, another lama performs an ancient ritual that celebrates community, supported by a unique subsistence way of life.