A Little Wisdom

In the lush mountains of Lumbini, Nepal, the birthplace of the Buddha, stands an isolated Buddhist monastery that doubles as an orphanage. Abandoned at a young age, brothers Hopakuli and Chorten are just two of the orphans living in the monastery as novices. In this intimately observed debut feature, director Yuqi Kang spent one year living with the monks. Through her camera, she observes the brothers spending their time climbing trees, telling ghost stories and watching cartoons, while also performing early morning prayers and regimented monastic duties. Kang crafts a fine portrait of two child monks, struggling to balance their austere upbringing with the fantasies of childhood and their longing for family. (Aisha Jamal)