Sue Johnston: Shangri-La

I watched this documentary by Sue Johnston on BBC1 , and was amazed at how engaging she was as a presenter rather than focusing on her career as an actor. In this documentary she looks to find 'Shangri-La', a utopia she read about when she was a young girl in 1959. She watched the movie Lost Horizon with her mother but the film was based on a book written by Englishman James Hilton in 1933. She then became fascinated with the Orient and Far-East. It was a very peaceful documentary, as it is filmed in Far-East, the music is very soothing and tranquil as is the photography, as the camera regular sweeps over vast valleys and luscious green land. The music echoes the sounds associated with China; the bells, the windchimes and the woodwind instruments that create a hollow, euphoric sound. Johnston's voice and demeanour suits the programme perfectly, as she seems to be a gentle, grounded soul. We usually see her as Barbara, the wife of Jim in 'The Royle Family'; dressed in scraggly clothing and a washed-out look, it's a far cry from we see her in this documented journey.
She has a serene quality about her, like having the auntie you never had who you can confide in, and because of this we are easily transported on this journey with her, through emotional and sensitive times.
She attended a ceremonial ritual, where she is moved by their dedication, and she explains that it moved her in a spiritual way; a feeling she had never felt before.
While watching this you do feel a sense of calm and reassurance, so it is quite fascinating to see how a programme can effect the audience and also the presenter who films it.

She travels through south-west China and Tibet, and ultimately on horseback to her final destination, the sacred mountain of Kawarkapo and the isolated village of Yipung - on the edge of the Tibetan Plateau and the basis for James Hilton's novel. As she stands on the pathway, she sees the Shangri-La described in Hilton's novel. There is no narration for a few minutes which adds the the euphoric sense of acheivement and enlightenment that Johnston has taking during this documentary. It releases closure and fulfillment, both for Johnston and the audience. It is one of the best documentaries i have seen; both for it's production and presentational value, it encapsulates the audience and it becomes your search for Shangri-La.