Speakers
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Grace Reid
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John Gosling
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Julie Manegold
Jung and Film: Himalaya: The Rearing of a Chief
Our goal in offering the Jung and Film series is to provide a container for depth psychological engagement with the films. In addition to the emotional conflicts of the characters, the impact of the images, the interplay of colour and light, the subtleties of sounds and music, and the aesthetic beauty of many of the scenes all serve to engage the unconscious. This has the potential to activate the unconscious and allow integration of some unresolved issues and thus further our process of growth and individuation. Some films may thus induce an unexpected new consciousness in viewers.
The film stories we have chosen for the 2025 programme of Jung and Film evenings include the struggles for leadership in the Catholic church when a new pope is elected; the issue of gaslighting, isolation and control in relationships; the tensions and dilemmas surrounding honouring and breaking of traditions, and the importance of ancient wisdoms; the battle with the inevitability of aging; and the far-reaching positive consequences of one man’s ethical choice.
The format of our film evenings is that the attendees and facilitators watch the film together on the Zoom platform, followed by a discussion of the film, which includes contributions by facilitators and participants. Before each screening, the facilitators will circulate notes, which discuss and amplify the film.
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Brief Overview
Filmed in the mountainous Dolpo region of Nepal, Himalaya tells the tale of Tinle, an aging chieftain of the Dolpo people, who learns that his son, Lhakpa, has died on an expedition with Karma, his son’s friend, and other male members of the tribe. His death resulted from a botched attempt to navigate a short cut.
Stricken with grief, this elderly and weather-beaten leader decides that he will take charge of the arduous annual yak trek, down to the lower lands to trade Himalayan rock salt for grain.
A struggle for power and leadership and a battle between the old ways and the new ensues between old Tinle and the younger rebellious and ambitious Karma. Impetuous Karma, wanting to prove himself as a worthy leader, commences the caravan before the date prescribed by the tribal shamans, and follows his own chosen route, ignoring what happened to Llakpa. Tinle insists on guidance from the tribal oracle for the correct departure date. Karma and his men head off, whilst Tinle and the older men wait for the appointed date.
The outcome is a lesson to those who ignore the power of the gods.
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