A story of two dream chasers

The Archer and the Apprentice is a unique documentary following two distinct archers from two extremely different backgrounds. It’s the story of a Bhutanese archer captured in reel for the first time as he prepares for London Olympics 2012.

Homecoming

The 21-year-old Yeshey Dhendup, a top Bhutanese Olympic archer, returns to Tshaphel, his home in Haa. He is warmly greeted by his uncle, aunt, and sister upon his return from a memorable and inspiring trip to the US. Yeshey Dhendup is about to embark on yet another trip – this time to Egypt for about nine months.

Videos and still pictures show Yeshey Dhendup walking along the street in front of his home with his family, and with his father up the road from the family dwelling. A strong sense of belief in omnipresent mighty power is portrayed as he prays at his family altar and at the holy temple of the village.

The documentary

The documentary’s central idea is to follow a Bhutanese Archer and Brady Ellison, top American archer, over the course of a year to document their progress.

History clearly shows Bhutan has not performed well in international arena despite the rich and beautiful history of the sport in country.

So, how would a Bhutanese archer fare if he or she was to spend time with one of the world’s best archers? And how would the world’s best archer fare in trying to compete in a traditional Bhutanese archery tournament?

After approval by the Bhutan Olympic Committee (BOC), the filming began in May this year at the Bhutan archery facility near the India House, Thimphu, where the filming team met Yeshey Dhendup, Bhutan’s Olympic hopeful.

The document also features footages of modern compound bow and traditional archery tournaments held in Paro and Punakha respectively.

In a formal interview, the history of Bhutanese archery, the goals of Bhutan Olympic Committee (BOC), and the national archery team are discussed with His Royal Highness Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck, the president of BOC.

The project continues in August, following Yeshey Dhendup to the US to train and compete at the US Olympic Training Centre in Chula Vista, California.

While in Chula Vista, Yeshey Dhendup was filmed training, getting tips from renowned archery coach, Kisik Lee. The team also films Ellison trying to hit at the traditional Bhutanese archery target with his Hoytrecurve bow at 90 metres which Yeshey Dhendup had gifted him.

While training in the US, he makes quite an impression on the folks at Flexor Swing Sports, an America-based Sports Company. The company decides to donate an archery kit to Bhutanese archers.

The kit was handed over to the Bhutanese National Team on August 30 and will be available to all archers and can be accessed through an online exercise and training routine.

In the documentary, Yeshey Dhendup is demonstrating the exercises to his fellow archers. Currently, Yeshey Dhendup is training in Cairo, Egypt, and is looking forward to make great strides.

Continuation

The documentary will continue when Ellison visits Bhutan in December and will follow the journeys ahead. It will conclude when the team will meet up with Yeshey Dhendup and Brady Ellison in London next summer as they compete for Olympic glory.

The documentary is produced by Thunder Dragon Films based in the US but operating in Bhutan.

T Sean Hebert, the director of the documentary and executive producer of Thunder Dragon Films, said he is interested in Bhutan’s rich history with archery as a sport. “Also because of Brady’s world ranking, I thought it would be a very compelling story to follow,” he said.

The documentary will be at least 30 minutes long, but depending on a few factors still unknown (Brady’s visit to Bhutan, Yeshey Dhendup’s training in Cairo, and the two men’s performances in London), the film could be longer.

Meanwhile, the crew will also film a two-day race from Bumthang to Thimphu on behalf of the BOC to help it promote the race next year internationally as an elite high altitude competition.

By Karma Palden