Dipendra Bhandari follows a family from Rolpa as they head up north to the Himalayan foothills in search of the yarsagumba, the fungus that grows out of caterpillars and is prized for its virile properties. The camera pursues the family as it joins the caravan of thousands of other yarsa hunters as they trek up the treacherous yet breathtaking mountain trails. The trip to Yarsa reveals the struggle, hope, laughter, and resilience of the people who go “dig for their fortunes” in the high Himalayan mountains every summer.
‘Journey to Yarsha’ Produced and directed by Dipendra Bhandari, shows the journey of people who went to the high Himalayan region in quest of collecting yarsagumba, a caterpillar fungus known for its purported aphrodisiac properties. The documentary garnered appreciation at national and international level and also received awards and honors in various film festivals.
Awards / Selection / Screening
The Tareque Masud Best Debut Film Award
Film South Asia 2011 Kathmandu, Nepal
Audience Choice Award
Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival (KIMFF) 2011
Audience Choice Award
Toronto Nepali Film Festival 2012, Toronto, Canada
Bansko Municipality Award
Bansko International Mountain Film Festival 2012, Bansko City, Bulgaria
Best Cultural Documentary
New York International Film Festival – La Edition 2012, Los Angeles, USA
Special Screening
- 42 Tampere International Film Festival 2012, Finland
- Rubin Musem of Art, New York, USA, 2015
Official Selection
- 8th Al Jazeera International Documentary Film Festival 2012, Doha, Qatar
- 10th International Festival Signes de Nuit 2012, Paris, France
- Doc Point \ International Documentary Film Festival 2013, Helsenki, Finland
- Culture unplugged Festival 2012
- First Silk Road Int’l Film Festival 2014, Xi’an, China
