Yahoo Lifestyle ‘Snow Leopard Sisters’ On Disappearance Of “Guardian Of The Mountains” – SXSW First Look
EXCLUSIVE: We’re getting an exclusive first look at Sonam Choekyi, Ben Ayers and Andrew Lynch’s film Snow Leopard Sisters, which premieres today at the SXSW Film Festival.
“For centuries, our culture has been in harmony with nature,” local snow leopard conservationist Tshiring Lhamu Lama says in the clip, followed by a shot of the magnificent creature looking to her camera. “Our ancestors believe that the snow leopard is a guardian of the mountains. With no snow leopards, our sacred balance will be lost.”
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The film tells the inspiring story of an unlikely yet powerful friendship between two Indigenous women in one of the most isolated corners of the Himalayas. The film follows Lama as she mentors 17-year-old Tenzin Bhuti Gurung. Together, they journey through the treacherous yet breathtaking landscape of the Himalayas in search of the last remaining endangered snow leopards.
“When I was working for the National Park, my research showed that the snow leopards were disappearing in Dolpo,” Lamu adds. “Nobody seemed to care. So I went out on my own. I feel like I am the only one who wants to save them.”
Through intimate verité footage and stunning cinematography, the film highlights the power of women’s voices in conservation, shaping a better future for themselves and the elusive snow leopards.
“We made this film with the primary goal of supporting Tshiring’s work and the communities in Dolpo, which our entire team is deeply connected to. Her message that wildlife conservation must begin with understanding people and communities first is powerful and urgent, and we were proud to document the concrete steps that she is taking to protect the few remaining snow leopards in the wild,” directors Choekyi, Ayers and Lynch shared in a statement. “We were all deeply moved by the strength and openness of Tshiring and Tenzin, and their willingness to share such an intimate story with us. They taught us that Indigenous women’s voices are critical for successful wildlife conservation and so much more. Most importantly, we cared deeply for one another and everyone in the film from the very start, which, of course, changed all of our lives, too.”
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