After much time, edits, permits, scoring the music and still more editing down from the team at 90th Parallel Productions, our first airing of The Tea Explorer took place on July 23rd. The first reviews are in.
Film critic John Doyle from the Globe and Mail called ‘The Tea Explorer”
“Visually sumptuous”.
and
“The program, made by Andrew Gregg, is an enchantingly successful hybrid of adventure tale and extravagant celebration of tea and you will never be blasé about tea again after seeing it”.
for a full review see here
One of the many characters along the Tea Horse Road. This monk from near Dzogong in Eastern Tibet aided our team with directions and information about the routing of tea.
James Bawden remarked that “The Tea Explorer May be the Year’s Best Documentary”.
Two more airings have been added to CBC’s Doc Channel Programming, and I’ll be updating as I know more of the workings of film screenings, and air dates on TV.
A Hani tea harvester near Menghai.
As always, a bow of thanks to the mountains, to the skies, to the leaves and characters, and to those of you that have followed these many journeys over these many years.
A moment in Lo Manthang, Mustang, just after I receive a Kata (scarf offering) from a muleteer and tea trader, Konga. Konga was first met when our film team were shooting the film The Tea Explorer and this photo was taken within his little bedroom. A massive prayer wheel sits patiently beside his bed.
About JeffFuchs
Having lived for a decade in Yunnan, Fuchs’ work has centred on indigenous mountain cultures, oral histories along with an obsessive interest in tea.
Fuchs is the author of 'The Ancient Tea Horse Road' (Viking-Penguin) and he was the subject of 'The Tea Explorer' documentary based on his exploration of the Tea Horse Road.
His photos and stories have appeared on three continents in publications such as Kyoto Journal, TRVL, and Outpost Magazine, as well as The Spanish Expedition Society, The Earth, Silkroad Foundation, The China Post Newspaper, The Toronto Star, The South China Morning Post, and UNESCO amongst others. Various pieces of his work are part of private collections in Europe, North America, and Asia. Fuchs served as Asian Editor at Large for five years at award-winning Outpost magazine.
Jeff has worked with schools and universities, giving talks on both the importance of oral traditions, tea and mountain cultures.
His recently released book ‘The Ancient Tea Horse Road’ (Penguin-Viking Publishers) details his 8-month groundbreaking journey traveling and chronicling one of the world’s great trade routes, The Tea Horse Road. Fuchs is the first westerner to have completed the entire route stretching almost six thousand kilometers through the Himalayas a dozen cultures.
Fuchs partnered with Wild China to create a journey along the Tea Horse Road which National Geographic Traveler called one of the "50 Trips of a Lifetime".
He is co-founder of Akahiao Nature Institute on the island of Hawai'i along with his wife, Julie Rogers.
I am interested in seeing your documentary, but I don’t have cable television. Is there any way to watch it online?
Hi Spencer – I’m told there will at some point be an online version and dvd available. I’ll be updating when I know more about the when’s and how’s.
Jeff
Please make viewing available to the US and more people maybe through the internet? I would love to watch it.
90th Parallel Productions is in the process of putting the film in out there in the world, including film festivals. I’ll be updating as I know more Mary Ann.
thanks for the note –
Jeff
Jeff,
Stunning Documentary! I have been a tea drinker my whole life and I feel that watching this enlightened me and I am now pushing my tea knowledge further. I’m researching Pu’erh teas online and seeking for the “right” ones. Any possible advise for me that you may have? I wish I could travel now to China, although online is as far as I’m going to make it anytime soon. I’d be grateful for your opinion.
PAX,
William
Great pleasure hearing from you William. Thanks for the note and great that the tea curve is expanding. There is so much for all of us in that leaf. As for Pu’erh teas I’m partial to Sheng, raw, unoxidized offerings. I co-founded Jalamteas.com and we offer a range of 100 gram cakes from small communities and mountains throughout southern Yunnan (in regions right around where we filmed). Misty Peaks also offers some great Pu’erhs, as does Crimson Lotus. The world of Pu’erh is growing and with it a lot of very average teas under the Pu’erh mantle. I also source older tree teas as well for a small group of collectors if you’re ever in the mood for something special. best to you William. – Jeff