HIMALAYAS

Year Published: 1970s

Creator: ross-porter

Description: “Himalayas” is a travelogue filmed by Ross Porter which captures life within the Himalayas and Hunza Valley of Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan. This is Part Two of the film, unfortunately we do not have Part One. We also do not know anything about filmmaker Porter. His travelogue provides an insightful perspective into the life and culture of native peoples amid these mountainous regions including rare footage of a Himalayan shamanic ritual and a christening ceremony for a new suspension bridge. The Pakistani military performs drills outside Altilt Fort. Locals are filmed around traditional Hunza dwellings. It also features Mir Mohammad Jamal Khan aka Mir Jamal Khan I of Hunza; the final King of the State of the Kingdom of the Hunza. The Kingdom of Hunza would be acceded to Pakistan in 1974, ending his reign. Other significant sights include Gulmit village, Baltit Fort and Karimabad. 0:00 Start of film. The Himalayas. Locals sift through fine sediment (:20) and swim in the waters (1:18). A man uses a handmade float (1:42) to wade the current (2:54). Shots pass over the new bridge (2:59). A group gathers on an overlook (3:08). A small Jeep drives up (3:12) and a prominent unidentified figure exits. A ribbon cutting ceremony (3:29) accented by rifles (3:31). The bridge opens (3:49). A group helps the jeep (4:08) and a donkey (5:16) cross water. A shamanic ritual involving the inhalation of burning herbs begins (6:35). Various herbs are burned (6:50). A man huddled under a blanket inhales the smoke (7:14). Spectators witness his behavior (7:32). Images highlight spastic muscle reactions (9:01). Gulmit Village of the Hunza Valley in the Karakoram range bordering the Himalayas (10:11) and Altit Fort follow (10:19). Armed soldiers (10:25) perform a drill for the Beating Retreat (10:32). Close shots show Pakistan’s national flag (10:45). A map notes the Hunza Valley (11:11). Shots from within a jeep passing mountains of the Hunza Valley (11:31) and winding down steep inclines (11:41) follow. Jamal is presented with a firearm (12:07). The King hosts a hearing on the roof of the ancient castle at Baltit (13:31) overlooking the town of Karimabad. Jamal and an unidentified man climb to the top of Baltit Fort among the Karakoram Mountains passing the old wooden tower (14:40). Images sweep Hunza dwellings below (14:42). A section highlights daily activities within such dramatic terrain as locals fabricate stone walls (15:05) and make their beds (15:55) atop the dwellings. The central hearth (16:10) and smoke exiting from the ha or baram operating as a skylight and smoke vent (16:21). Dwellings; built from stone and mud, are intentionally integrated into the landscape. A man prepares for bed atop his dwelling (17:06). Farmers harvest wheat (17:29). Locals change water flow direction for irrigation purposes (18:18). A pair drives a cattle herd through town (18:35) to their farm. Vendors weigh precious stones (20:06). Shots pan over Chinese cigarettes and Arabic matchboxes (20:18). Students study the English language (21:34). Close shots show Arabic script etched from right to left (21:41). Jamal leads a group (22:08). Musicians (22:14) perform prior to equestrian games (22:20) including polo (22:55). Baltit Fort looms above (23:46). A group (23:51) prepares for a ride through the mountains (24:05). Locals guide cattle over rocky terrain (26:04). Baltit Fort (28:15) for another meeting (28:28) and sword fights (28:59). Another riding expedition (30:28) and a man collecting quartz (32:00). King Jamal, his wife; Princess Shams-un-Nehar of Nagar, and children (33:25) pose together. An alpine Ibex (33:42). Jamal rides a horse amidst a large crowd (34:01) prior to equestrian games (34:43) and a large festival. The film concludes with another large gathering (37:35) and shots of locals near incense vendor stalls (38:07).

Complete Record: “Himalayas” is a travelogue filmed by Ross Porter which captures life within the Himalayas and Hunza Valley of Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan. This is Part Two of the film, unfortunately we do not have Part One. We also do not know anything about filmmaker Porter. His travelogue provides an insightful perspective into the life and culture of native peoples amid these mountainous regions including rare footage of a Himalayan shamanic ritual and a christening ceremony for a new suspension bridge. The Pakistani military performs drills outside Altilt Fort. Locals are filmed around traditional Hunza dwellings. It also features Mir Mohammad Jamal Khan aka Mir Jamal Khan I of Hunza; the final King of the State of the Kingdom of the Hunza. The Kingdom of Hunza would be acceded to Pakistan in 1974, ending his reign. Other significant sights include Gulmit village, Baltit Fort and Karimabad. 0:00 Start of film. The Himalayas. Locals sift through fine sediment (:20) and swim in the waters (1:18). A man uses a handmade float (1:42) to wade the current (2:54). Shots pass over the new bridge (2:59). A group gathers on an overlook (3:08). A small Jeep drives up (3:12) and a prominent unidentified figure exits. A ribbon cutting ceremony (3:29) accented by rifles (3:31). The bridge opens (3:49). A group helps the jeep (4:08) and a donkey (5:16) cross water. A shamanic ritual involving the inhalation of burning herbs begins (6:35). Various herbs are burned (6:50). A man huddled under a blanket inhales the smoke (7:14). Spectators witness his behavior (7:32). Images highlight spastic muscle reactions (9:01). Gulmit Village of the Hunza Valley in the Karakoram range bordering the Himalayas (10:11) and Altit Fort follow (10:19). Armed soldiers (10:25) perform a drill for the Beating Retreat (10:32). Close shots show Pakistan’s national flag (10:45). A map notes the Hunza Valley (11:11). Shots from within a jeep passing mountains of the Hunza Valley (11:31) and winding down steep inclines (11:41) follow. Jamal is presented with a firearm (12:07). The King hosts a hearing on the roof of the ancient castle at Baltit (13:31) overlooking the town of Karimabad. Jamal and an unidentified man climb to the top of Baltit Fort among the Karakoram Mountains passing the old wooden tower (14:40). Images sweep Hunza dwellings below (14:42). A section highlights daily activities within such dramatic terrain as locals fabricate stone walls (15:05) and make their beds (15:55) atop the dwellings. The central hearth (16:10) and smoke exiting from the ha or baram operating as a skylight and smoke vent (16:21). Dwellings; built from stone and mud, are intentionally integrated into the landscape. A man prepares for bed atop his dwelling (17:06). Farmers harvest wheat (17:29). Locals change water flow direction for irrigation purposes (18:18). A pair drives a cattle herd through town (18:35) to their farm. Vendors weigh precious stones (20:06). Shots pan over Chinese cigarettes and Arabic matchboxes (20:18). Students study the English language (21:34). Close shots show Arabic script etched from right to left (21:41). Jamal leads a group (22:08). Musicians (22:14) perform prior to equestrian games (22:20) including polo (22:55). Baltit Fort looms above (23:46). A group (23:51) prepares for a ride through the mountains (24:05). Locals guide cattle over rocky terrain (26:04). Baltit Fort (28:15) for another meeting (28:28) and sword fights (28:59). Another riding expedition (30:28) and a man collecting quartz (32:00). King Jamal, his wife; Princess Shams-un-Nehar of Nagar, and children (33:25) pose together. An alpine Ibex (33:42). Jamal rides a horse amidst a large crowd (34:01) prior to equestrian games (34:43) and a large festival. The film concludes with another large gathering (37:35) and shots of locals near incense vendor stalls (38:07).