ABOVE AND BELOW

A documentary film by Sheri Brenner

The Artist

“There are spirits of the mountain, spirits of the water. What if those spirits were gone? Gone because everyone had moved to different places? How would they cope with the new environment?” -Tsherin Sherpa

Above and Below tells the story of just such a spirit.

Tsherin Sherpa, devout Buddhist artist, trained by his father in the art of traditional Tibetan Buddhist thangka painting, moves from Kathmandu to San Francisco and reinvents himself, finding new meaning for an ancient art form, and launching the next wave in Tibetan contemporary art.

The Film

From prayer flags to billboards, Above and Below tells the story of Tsherin Sherpa’s evolution from devoted religious painter to world renowned artist.

2004

2008

2015

The Project Story

Urgen Dorje mixes his own paints from ground minerals and gemstones

Sheri Brenner, the film’s Director, met Tsherin during a visit to the San Francisco Asian Art Museum. He was demonstrating thangka painting. She was enthralled by his work and they spoke about making a short film. Tsherin recommended that Sheri film his father,

Urgen Dorje Sherpa, a master thangka painter known throughout the country, that he would be a far better subject. That began a project which spanned the next fifteen years in which Sheri filmed Tsherin in the United States and Urgen Dorje Sherpa in Nepal, gaining rare insight into the real world of Tibetan sacred art and lives of its artist.

Urgen Dorje Sherpa and Tsherin Sherpa at home in Boudanath, Nepal

“It was an honor to have a privileged look into the lives of these two artistic masters and teachers. I knew in my heart that others would also want to enter the sanctum of Buddhist art through this film. My hope is to share a piece of their world with the audience.”

-Sheri Brenner

Buddha Thangka by Urgen Dorje Sherpa, 2003

Soon To Be Released: “Images of Enlightenment” is a companion film to Above and Below. It tells the story of Urgen Dorje Sherpa and his contributions to the Art of Thangka Painting.

Watch the Opening

“Rough Cut of Opening Scene of Above and Below” TRT 2:46

Support Above and Below

Project Timeline

The film is in final stage of post-production. We are seeking completion funding for upcoming museum screenings. Please support this effort by donating.

Our Potential Funders

Center for Asian American Media

Corporation for Public Broadcasting

National Endowment for the Arts

National Endowment for the Humanities

Grace Foundation

SFFILM

Rubin Museum, New York

San Francisco Asian Art Museum

Tibet Center, New York

University of San Francisco Jesuit Grant Foundation

Key Creative Team

Sheri Brenner - Producer/Director/Editor

Sheri Brenner has produced and directed several documentaries on world culture, sacred art, science and technology including the national PBS broadcast of Sandpainting: Sacred Art of Tibet, and In Beauty I Walk. Her life’s work is devoted to revealing and sharing the traditions, beliefs, and spiritual philosophies that lift up and strengthen the heart of humanity. She holds an MFA degree in Cinema from San Francisco State University, and was the recipient of a Columbia Foundation Grant and a Haas Foundation Grant. She currently serves as Adjunct Faculty and Media Lab Director in the Media Studies Program at the University of San Francisco.

https://aboveandbelowmovie.com/sheri-brenner-filmography
Marc Smolowitz - Consulting Producer

Marc Smolowitz is a multi-award-winning independent filmmaker based in San Francisco. With three decades of experience in the film and media business, Smolowitz is a director, producer, and executive producer who has been significantly involved in 50+ successful independent films wearing many hats across the entertainment industry.

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0810625/
Andrew Black - Director of Photography

Andrew Black is a Director of Photography whose work includes numerous documentary and feature films. He has worked with Michael Moore on Fahrenheit 911 and Sicko, as well as on Weather Underground, and The New Environmentalists, Robert Reich’s Saving Capitalism, and in related subject area, on Will Parinello’s Dreaming of Tibet. See link for filmography.
http://andrewblackpictures.com.
Chandra Man Dongol - Director of Photography, Nepal
Chris Tipton-King - Editor and Colorist
Victor Spiegel - Music

Victor Spiegel is a recording artist, teacher, composer, director, actor, and voice over professional. Spiegel’s singular piano sound is a fusion of lush harmonies and rhythms of jazz, classical and musical influences from India, japan, Indonesia, Africa, the Middle East and Eastern Europe. His study of world music cultures gives his music an added edge and depth. He continues to score for film, television, theater, dance, and other media.
https://soundcloud.com/victor-spiegel