Travelers and Magicians 2005
Directed by
Khyentse Norbu
Made by
Zeitgeist Films
Plot Summary
Discover the intricate plot of Travelers and Magicians (2005). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.
A young government official named Dondup longs for a life away from his picturesque yet remote village, captivated by dreams of reaching the United States. His aspirations are evident even in his choice of attire, sporting a denim gho. However, fate takes a turn when he misses the sole bus to Thimphu, compelling him to embark on a journey of hitchhiking and walking along the scenic Lateral Road toward the west. He is joined by a colorful ensemble of characters: an apple seller, a Buddhist monk carrying his intricate dragon-headed dramyin, an inebriated fellow traveler, and the widowed rice paper maker alongside his daughter Sonam.
To pass the time during their trek, the monk shares the poignant story of Tashi, a restless farm boy who also yearns to escape the confines of village life. In his tale, Tashi rides a horse into a dense forest, only to find himself hopelessly lost amidst the remote mountains. There, his life becomes inexplicably intertwined with that of a wise old hermit woodcutter and his enchanting young wife. Tashi’s desires lead him into a treacherous game of lust and jealousy, as he becomes enamored with the beautiful wife while fearing the woodcutter’s wrath and his trusty axe.
In a moment of desperation, Tashi attempts to slay the woodcutter, with his complicit wife—who happens to be pregnant with his child—assisting him in this dark goal. Torn by guilt, he flees as the old man lies on the edge of death. Tragically, Deki, the woodcutter’s wife, calls out and pursues him but meets her demise in a raging mountain river during her chase.
Ultimately, Tashi’s thrilling escapades reveal themselves to be mere hallucinations brought on by chhaang, a traditional homemade liquor. This enchanting saga parallels Dondup’s own feelings for Sonam, intensifying as he grapples with his desires for adventure and connection. As he finally manages to catch a ride to Thimphu, the film concludes in ambiguity, leaving audiences pondering the outcome of Dondup’s visa interview and his potential voyage abroad. Will this journey change his perspective on the village and Bhutan, or will he choose the familiarity of home?
Timeline
Track the key events of Travelers and Magicians (2005) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
Dondup's Dreams
In a picturesque yet remote village, a young government official named Dondup dreams of a life in the United States. His aspirations are vividly reflected in his choice of attire, as he wears a denim gho, symbolizing his longing for adventure and a different life.
Missed Bus to Thimphu
Dondup's journey takes a turn when he misses the only bus to Thimphu, leaving him stranded in his village. This unexpected setback forces him to seek alternative means of travel, igniting his adventurous spirit.
Journey Along the Lateral Road
Determined to reach Thimphu, Dondup begins his journey by hitchhiking and walking along the scenic Lateral Road. Along the way, he encounters a variety of characters that color his experience, including an apple seller and a drunken traveler.
The Buddhist Monk's Tale
During their trek, Dondup and his companions meet a Buddhist monk who shares the captivating story of Tashi, a restless farm boy. The monk's animated storytelling reveals Tashi's deep desire to escape his mundane village life.
Tashi's Forest Adventure
In the monk's story, Tashi rides a horse into a mysterious forest but soon becomes lost among the remote mountains. His adventure takes a darker turn as he encounters a wise old woodcutter and his beautiful young wife.
Descent into Jealousy
Tashi becomes infatuated with the woodcutter's wife, leading to a tangled web of lust and jealousy. As his feelings intensify, he grows increasingly fearful of the wrath of the woodcutter, who wields a powerful axe.
Attempted Murder
In a moment of desperation driven by jealousy, Tashi plots to kill the woodcutter with the aid of the wife, who is secretly pregnant with his child. This treacherous plan sets off a chain of events that spiral into tragedy.
Deki's Fatal Pursuit
After Tashi's brutal act, he flees, leaving the woodcutter gravely wounded. In a heartbreaking turn, the woodcutter's wife, Deki, chases after Tashi but meets her tragic end in a violent mountain river.
Hallucinations Unveiled
Ultimately, Tashi's wild escapades are revealed to be mere hallucinations induced by chhaang, a traditional homemade liquor. This twist raises questions about the nature of reality versus desires as Tashi's adventures unfold.
Dondup's Parallel Dreams
As Dondup grapples with his ambition for adventure, he finds himself emotionally connected to Sonam, the rice paper maker's daughter. Their developing relationship adds depth to his journey and reflects his internal conflicts.
The Ride to Thimphu
After a long and colorful journey, Dondup finally manages to catch a ride toward Thimphu. This moment signifies the culmination of his adventure so far and heightens the anticipation of what lies ahead.
The Ambiguous Conclusion
The film concludes with Dondup's visa interview looming, leaving audiences in suspense about his future. Will he successfully depart for the United States, or will he ultimately choose the familiarity of his home and village?
Reflections on Home
As Dondup reflects on his experiences, viewers are left pondering his evolving perspective on life in the village and the possibility of change. The decision he faces encapsulates the broader theme of balancing dreams with reality.
Characters
Meet the characters that bring Travelers and Magicians (2005) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Dondup (Tshewang Dendup)
Dondup is a young government official driven by his yearning for a life beyond his village. His ambitions and desires create a tension that navigates between the allure of adventure and the connections to his homeland. Throughout the film, he grapples with his dreams and the feelings that bind him to Sonam.
Sonam (Sonam Lhamo)
Sonam serves as the object of Dondup's affections, embodying the emotional anchor in his life. She represents the love and warmth of home, which contrasts with his aspirations for external adventures. Her presence fosters Dondup's internal conflict as he weighs his dreams against his emotions.
Tashi
Tashi is a restless farm boy depicted in the monk's narrative, symbolizing the quest for fulfillment outside one's reality. His struggles with desire, guilt, and the consequences of his actions reveal deeper insights into the human experience. His character arc illustrates the perils of chasing passion without regard for morality.
Setting
Uncover the settings of Travelers and Magicians (2005), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.
Time period
The narrative does not specify a particular historical time period, allowing it to resonate with contemporary themes of aspiration and existential reflection. It captures the timeless struggle between tradition and modernity, as well as the dream of seeking a better future in the face of life's uncertainties.
Location
Bhutan, Thimphu, Lateral Road
The movie primarily unfolds in the picturesque landscape of Bhutan, highlighting its remote villages and breathtaking mountains. Thimphu, the capital city, serves as a focal point representing both hope and aspiration for a better life. The Lateral Road symbolizes the journey between dreams and reality, where characters encounter their own desires and challenges.
Themes
Explore the core themes of Travelers and Magicians (2005). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.
🌍
Escape
The desire to escape from mundane village life is a central theme, embodied by Dondup's longing for adventure in the United States. This theme unfolds through the characters’ aspirations and the story of Tashi, reinforcing the notion of pursuing dreams, even at great personal cost.
💔
Desire
Desire is explored in various forms, from Dondup's attraction to Sonam to Tashi's obsessive feelings towards the woodcutter’s wife. These intertwined desires bring about both conflict and consequence, highlighting the complexity of human emotions.
🔄
Reality vs. Illusion
The line between reality and illusion is blurred through Tashi's hallucinatory experiences during his quest. This theme reflects the characters' internal conflicts and provides a commentary on how escapism can lead to dangerous choices and unexpected repercussions.
Featured on this page
What's After the Movie?
Not sure whether to stay after the credits? Find out!
Check out our other apps:
Actors
Companies
Latest Movies
© 2025 What's After the Movie?. All rights reserved.