Watch Becoming A Woman In Zanskar

Becoming A Woman In Zanskar is a 2007 documentary film that follows the incredible journey of four young girls from the isolated Himalayan region of Zanskar, as they travel away from their homes to attend school in Leh, the capital of Ladakh. The film is directed by renowned French filmmaker Frederique Lengaigne, and is a touching and inspiring story of empowerment, determination, and female solidarity.

The film opens with breathtaking shots of the vast, snow-capped mountains of Zanskar, and we are introduced to the four young girls who will be the subjects of the film. They are Padma, Lhamo, Angmo, and Chuskit, and we learn that they come from conservative, traditional families that place little value on education for girls. However, the girls are determined to pursue their dreams of getting an education and becoming independent women.

We follow the girls as they walk for days across treacherous mountain passes, braving freezing cold temperatures and harsh winds, to reach Leh, where they will study at the SECMOL school. SECMOL is a unique school that provides education to children from remote Ladakhi villages and focuses on sustainable development, cultural preservation, and environmental activism. The school is run by young volunteers who have themselves left their homes to receive an education, and who act as role models and mentors to the students.

The girls face many challenges as they adjust to life at SECMOL, including homesickness, culture shock, and the rigorous academic curriculum. However, they also find support and friendship from their classmates, who come from all over Ladakh and share their commitment to education and social change.

As the girls settle into life at SECMOL, we learn more about their backgrounds and the obstacles they have overcome to pursue their dreams. Padma is from a family of nomadic herders and has faced discrimination for being a girl. Lhamo's father is a Buddhist monk who disapproves of her attending school. Angmo has already been married off once and is determined not to let her fate be determined by others. Chuskit is a wheelchair-bound girl who has faced immense challenges in the patriarchal society of Zanskar but who refuses to let her disability hold her back.

The film is a poignant portrayal of the struggles and triumphs of these young girls as they navigate the complex social, cultural, and economic landscape of Ladakh. It highlights the importance of education in empowering girls and breaking down entrenched gender norms and discrimination.

The cinematography is breathtaking, with stunning shots of the Himalayan landscape and intimate portraits of the girls as they face their challenges with courage and resilience. The film is also imbued with a sense of hope and optimism, as we see the girls grow and mature over the course of the film, and as they begin to imagine a future of their own making.

In conclusion, Becoming A Woman In Zanskar is a must-see film for anyone interested in issues of gender, development, and social justice. It offers a compelling and moving portrait of the power of education to transform lives and communities, and it celebrates the indomitable spirit of four young girls who dare to dream of a brighter future.