The Cup
(Phörpa)

Based on real events, the film tells the story of two young Tibetans, Palden and Nyima who, having fled Tibet, get to a monastery in exile in northern India, at the bottom of the Himalayas. After being ordained monks, the two boys are thrown into a turmoil of unexpected events quite unlike the more austere atmosphere of a monastery : the soccer world cup is in full swing and tension is high among the young monks, to the despair of Geko, the head of the monastery. To meet both the demands of the children’s passion for the world cup and the needs of monastic life, sattelite television equipment is fitted inside the monastery. Thanks to Geko’s warm care for the teenagers, tranquillity is restored.