SummaryHigh above a jungle in Nepal, pilgrims make an ancient journey by cable car to worship Manakamana.
Directed By:Stephanie Spray, Pacho Velez
Manakamana
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
86
User score
Mixed or Average
4.9
My Score
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Top Cast
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
100% Positive
15 Reviews
15 Reviews
0% Mixed
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Apr 17, 2014
100
By focusing on such a narrow slice of Nepali life, Ms. Spray and Mr. Velez have ceded any totalizing claim on the truth and instead settled for a perfect incompleteness.
May 15, 2014
88
A haunting experience, one that requires patience (and then some) but that offers spiritual, philosophical, and aesthetic rewards beyond the immediate power of words to describe.
Jan 8, 2015
80
It’s meditative, beautiful, utterly fascinating, and one of the year’s finest documentary achievements.
Apr 17, 2014
80
It’s the closest I’ve seen a film come to an act of genuine hypnosis.
Apr 17, 2014
75
Really, though, the film’s focus is on neither the destination nor the journey, but on the individuals planting themselves in front of the lens.
Apr 15, 2014
70
Manakamana is both calming and imagination-sparking, forcing viewers to look at human faces for 10-minute stretches, whether those faces are talking excitedly or quietly looking around.
User score
Mixed or Average
40% Positive
6 Ratings
6 Ratings
20% Mixed
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
40% Negative
6 Ratings
6 Ratings
Nov 2, 2014
9
Little replay value here, but, upon first viewing, Manakamana makes for a trance-inducing, indescribably moving and undeniably human documentary. I don't want to spoil the premise, but lets just say that a vast majority of people will hate this film and probably dip out 5-10 minutes in. I don't blame them. It is not for everyone. Patient viewers will find themselves in rapture for what is easily my favorite documentary of 2014 so far. This film pushes the boundaries of what we can consider a 'narrative'. The movie preys on our socially analytical nature as observers, voyeurs more like it. I dare you to sit through the whole film. Don't see it with friends or other people. You may be influenced to make distracting conversation. Engage this in your own quiet way and test yourself to see how far you can go without a break. My eyes were glued to the screen. I didn't look away once.
Jun 20, 2015
0
documentary is getting more and more pretentious by the year. This film is absolutely trash to the full, you'll waste two hours of your life watch nothing but old Asians bums riding cable car. Literally nothing else.
Production Company:
- Sensory Ethnography Lab (SEL)
Release Date:Apr 18, 2014
Duration:1 h 58 m
Website:
Awards
Locarno Film Festival
• 2 Wins & 2 Nominations
Edinburgh International Film Festival
• 1 Win & 2 Nominations
Indiewire Critics' Poll
• 2 Nominations
