Living Sanctuaries: The Monasteries of Zanskar
Screen, Sunday 22 Nov 2026, 11:00
- ends at 11:49
Discover the dramatic, cliff-hugging buildings whose walls are the living records of Buddhist practice and meet the communities who live in them.
High in the Western Himalaya, the Zanskar Valley holds an architectural tradition shaped by centuries of Buddhist practice, extreme climate, and geographic isolation. At nearly 13,000 feet, its monasteries and nunneries are not only places of worship but living records of Tibetan and Himalayan craftsmanship.
This documentary follows Studio Nyandak—an architecture and engineering firm based in New York City and Dharamshala—on a research expedition to chart these structures and engage the communities who sustain them.
Through fieldwork, reflection, and local voices, the film examines the complexities of preservation when history, devotion, and architecture remain inseparable.
Our Buddhist Films strand is curated by Chris McKenna, who leads a short meditation and introduction to each film.
High in the Western Himalaya, the Zanskar Valley holds an architectural tradition shaped by centuries of Buddhist practice, extreme climate, and geographic isolation. At nearly 13,000 feet, its monasteries and nunneries are not only places of worship but living records of Tibetan and Himalayan craftsmanship.
This documentary follows Studio Nyandak—an architecture and engineering firm based in New York City and Dharamshala—on a research expedition to chart these structures and engage the communities who sustain them.
Through fieldwork, reflection, and local voices, the film examines the complexities of preservation when history, devotion, and architecture remain inseparable.
Our Buddhist Films strand is curated by Chris McKenna, who leads a short meditation and introduction to each film.
Restricted Performance
Priority booking: Members and friends priority booking only until until Wednesday 21 October 2026 at 10:00, on general sale thereafter.