Living Sanctuaries: Monasteries of Zanskar (2025) by Tenzin Tsetan Choklay. Studio Nyandak, an architectural firm with offices in New York and Dharamshala, is measuring monasteries in the Zanskar Valley, a remote area in the Himalayas, in the hope of protecting them from the advancing forces of progress. These monasteries, built between the 2nd and 14th centuries, have been damaged by earthquakes, and are being threatened by climate change, declining numbers of monks, increasing exposure due to roads being built nearby, and populations moving to cities because of poverty and opportunities. Studio Nyandak's work involves young Tibetan architects and engineers making sure that monks are involved in the preservation work, the monasteries remain "living buildings" and not museums, and that local and traditional materials are used as much as possible. It's a beautiful documentary; I only wish it were longer.
Viewed as the May 2026 entry in the Tricycle Film Club.
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