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SINGAPORE PREMIERE
Director: Min Bahadur Bham
Runtime: 150 mins
Country: Nepal, France, Norway, Hong Kong, China, Turkey, Taiwan, United States, Qatar
Language: Tibetan, Nepali with English subtitles
Rating: NC16

Awards

CULTURAL DIVERSITY AWARD
Asia Pacific Screen Awards

Synopsis

In Shambhala, Min Bhadur Bham skillfully navigates the cultural and geographical terrains of Nepal at breathtaking altitudes. The first Nepalese film to be selected for competition at the 74th Berlinale International Film Festival, Bham draws inspiration from the majestic vistas of the Himalayas and Buddhist philosophies of impermanence and mindfulness to create a visual language that is uniquely Himalayan and profoundly immersive.

Deriving its title from a mythical kingdom of tranquility and bliss hidden beyond the peaks of the Himalayas, Shambhala is a meditation on the evolving notions of Nepalese womanhood amidst long standing cultural traditions and unvoiced desires for change. Set in a polyandrous village in the Himalayas, the film follows newly married and pregnant Pema who embarks on a journey into the unforgiving wilderness to find her first husband, Tashi, who has vanished on the trade route to Lhasa. This evolves into a spiritual odyssey of self-discovery and liberation as Pema is confronted by the spectral presence of Shambhala, sparking a deeper search for meaning in her life.

Adapted from Best Friend Forever.

Screenings

Saturday, 24 May 2025, 2pm

Friday, 30 May 2025, 8pm

Tickets for Shambhala are now on sale. Scroll down to select the screening of your choice and click through to purchase tickets.

Friends of AFA members, please read the membership guide on how to purchase your discounted tickets and redeem your complimentary tickets.

Oldham Theatre’s opening hours

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Important Notice:

Do note that Oldham Theatre operates on a free seating arrangement. Doors will open 20 minutes before showtime so arrive early to choose a seat and avoid disrupting the screenings as AFA does not play ads and screenings will start promptly.

All patrons are encouraged to purchase your tickets online. If you choose to purchase tickets or merchandise at Oldham Theatre’s box office, cashless payment is preferred.

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T&Cs
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