Hearing in the Bardo

Referencing the Bardo Thodol (Tibetan Book of the Dead), 'Hearing in the Bardo' is a journey through the void between death and rebirth.

Through capturing the landscape and Sherpa people of Nepal from an intimate perspective, the film focuses on the Tibetan Buddhist belief in reincarnation, blending the boundary between documentary and fiction. It tells the story of a spirit's journey through the transitional realm between death and rebirth. Described by Werner Herzog as "A beautiful film", 'Hearing in the Bardo' is a visual and audible journey unlike many shorts.

  • Isaac McCardle
    Director
  • Isaac McCardle
    Writer
  • Sonam Tsering
    Writer
  • Isaac McCardle
    Producer
  • Tenzin Phuntsok
    Key Cast
  • Alexis Daumerie
    Music and Composition
  • Timo King
    Music and Composition
  • Tara Baggott
    Music and Composition
  • Christopher Lever
    Music and Composition
  • Tenzin Phuntsok
    Music and Composition
  • Robert Swansbury-Hogg
    Visual Effects
  • Iain Pillinger
    Visual Effects
  • Jack O'Dowd
    Visual Effects
  • Isaac McCardle
    Edit and Sound Design
  • Isaac McCardle
    Camera Operator
  • Isaac McCardle
    Sound Recording
  • Jono Sargent
    Sound Recording
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Genres:
    Spiritual, Experimental, Art-House, Drama
  • Runtime:
    10 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    February 25, 2014
  • Production Budget:
    3,000 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    Nepal
  • Language:
    Tibetan
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Free Spirit Film Festival
    McLeod Ganj, India
    October 26, 2014
  • San Francisco Film Awars
    San Francisco, USA
    March 29, 2015
    Award for Excellence
Director Biography - Isaac McCardle

Isaac McCardle is from Bristol in the South West of England. In August 2014 he attended Werner Herzog's 'Rogue FIlm School' in Los Angeles having been invited by the Bavarian film-maker to attend after viewing his short film, 'Hearing in the Bardo', his first film as director. After graduating with first-class honours in Film-making and Creative Media, McCardle worked as a video and sound editor on award-winning documentaries, short and feature length productions, natural history and commercials for Samsung, the British Library and North Face, among others.

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Director Statement

My time with Herzog and the 'Rogue Film School' imbued me with a clear sense of purpose. To make films that only I can imagine. Films that have something to say and that are important to me.