Published by: World Tibet Network News Friday, January 23, 1998

Thursday January 22 8:38 AM EST

By Benedict Carver

HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - Hollywood's fascination with Tibet has spread to Europe.

French producer Jacques Perrin has lined up financing for the $7 million drama "Himalaya," which is currently halfway through an eight-month shoot on location in the Dolpo area of the Tibetan and Nepalese border.

Shot in the Tibetan language, "Himalaya" charts the rivalries and passions that erupt in a Himalayan village during the hazardous annual yak migration. It represents the feature helming debut of documentary director-journalist Eric Valli, who also wrote the story.

Tibetan-themed pictures released last year included "Seven Years in Tibet" and "Kundun." Awaiting release is Franz Reichle's "The Knowledge of Healing."