The Movie, Making of "Phuktal, a Monastery between heaven and earth"

Filming in the Phuktal Monastery in Ladakh: an insight into life at 3900 metres above sea level.

The Phuktal Monastery is an inspiring location for a film team.

The monastery is located 3900 metres above sea level. For film crews, this not only means breathtaking views, but also physical challenges. The air is thin up here, and even the ascent to the monastery can be exhausting. The film equipment, which can be easily transported in normal conditions, quickly becomes a challenge here. Every step is strenuous, the camera equipment feels twice as heavy and simple hand movements can become complicated due to the unfamiliar altitude.

The Phuktal Monastery is known for its rich spiritual tradition. The monks live here in seclusion and dedicate their lives to meditation and the study of Buddhist scriptures. For us, the daily ceremonies were an impressive and moving experience. The intense chanting and the traditional, colourful robes of the monks created an atmosphere that seemed almost unreal and was ideal for filming.

In addition to the older monks, the Phuktal monastery is also home to young novices who study here in the monastery's own school. It was fascinating to watch these young lads being prepared for life as a monk using strict but friendly teaching methods. These students bring a lightness to the everyday life of the monastery and fill the environment with their youthful energy. For us, the young novices offered a wonderful opportunity to show another facet of monastic life. They are not only students, but also guardians of tradition and future monks who will one day carry on the rituals and knowledge of their teachers.

We conduct interviews with several monks to find out how they are coping with the unstable rock situation. We were very impressed by the honesty and openness with which the monks spoke about their worries and fears. Their words moved us deeply and encouraged us to use this sensitive film to raise awareness of this danger and sensitise people to the challenges facing the monks. We hope that the impressions from the interviews and the moving insights into the lives of the monks will touch viewers and win them over in favour of protecting this endangered place.