Stone Pastures

Synopsis

Stone Pastures tells the story of a nomadic family living on the Himalayan plateau of Ladakh. In this high altitude cold desert, the nomads’ way of life is fast disappearing as the modern world encroaches on the century old tradition of rearing Pashmina goats.  This struggle contains a paradox: Ladakh’s gritty conditions give rise to the finest of materials, pashmina wool. Produced by the nomads’ goats as a warm undercoat, this is the raw material for luxurious Kashmiri shawls, and the only source of income for the struggling nomads. But can the trade continue?

About the director

Born in Philadelphia in 1975, Donagh grew up in Finland, Ireland and the US, and is a citizen of these 3 countries. In 2002 Donagh made Echoes Of, his first documentary set in India. From here on, much of Donagh’s work has involved Indian and Tibetan-related subjects. Besides making documentary films, Donagh also makes radio documentaries as well as teaching in several media colleges. After completing Textures, Donagh moved to Beijing with his wife, and is currently researching new projects there and in Tibet.

According to the filmmakers

“Having dealt in pashmina shawls, I originally set out to make a film connecting the rough Himalayan plateau where the wool for the shawls is produced, to the luxurious end product in the West. However, as I spent more time on Ladakh’s high plateau, the power and awesome beauty of the place as well as my interest in the film’s nomadic family took over, and I decided to make a more traditional documentary focusing on one family, their life and culture in this extraordinary setting. I wanted to show the concerns of these people, which are so recognisable to any of us, without romanticising this ancient way of life. Although the nomads may live close to nature without modern distractions and stresses, what most of them seem to want is a more comfortable, modern life. The family’s struggle for existence in this vast, open space also presented to me a very basic, archetypal image of the human condition.”

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