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Timeline

Tharlo (2016) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2016 · 123 min · Unknown language
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Directed by
Pema Tseden

A chance encounter in a rural barbershop unexpectedly alters Tharlo's life, leading him to abandon his flock in pursuit of freedom and adventure with a mysterious stranger. As they travel together, the initial allure of love gives way to deception and betrayal. Ultimately, Tharlo must face the difficult truths of a world far removed from his peaceful homeland and the simple life he once knew.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (13)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Tharlo
  6. 6 Every angle
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13 events in order · contains spoilers

Tharlo Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Tharlo (2016) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Tharlo's Quest

    Ponytail Tharlo, a modest sheep herder, sets off to town on a mission to fulfill a requirement from police chief Dorje for an ID card photograph. This venture is significant as it marks the beginning of his journey into a world unfamiliar and vibrant, contrasting starkly with his simple life in the mountains.

    Where
    Town
  2. Meeting Yangtso

    While in town, Tharlo encounters Yangtso, a lively hairdresser embodying modernity with her short hair and spirited attitude. Her flirtatious nature and suggestion to journey together spark excitement in Tharlo, who is unaccustomed to such interactions.

    Where
    Town
  3. Karaoke Night

    Tharlo and Yangtso spend a night at a karaoke bar, filled with festivities and laughter. This night becomes a pivotal moment for Tharlo, as he is enveloped by Yangtso's carefree charm, introducing a taste of modern life that he has never experienced before.

    Where
    Karaoke Bar
  4. Return to the Mountains

    After the exhilarating night, Tharlo retreats back to the tranquility of the mountains. However, the thrill of the unfamiliar quickly pulls at his heartstrings, leading him to contemplate returning to town once more.

    Where
    Mountains
  5. Tragic Consequences

    In a drunken misadventure, wolves attack Tharlo's flock, causing significant losses. This misfortune leads to a harsh reprimand from the sheep owner, highlighting the gravity of his actions and the consequences that follow when he strays from his responsibilities.

    Where
    Mountain Pasture
  6. Seeking Yangtso's Help

    Determined to make amends, Tharlo ventures back to town to sell his remaining sheep, earning a decent sum. He offers this money to Yangtso for safekeeping, hoping it would pave the way for a brighter future with her.

    Where
    Town
  7. The Haircut Proposal

    Yangtso proposes to shave off Tharlo's cherished ponytail, which symbolizes his simple past. This significant moment marks a turning point in their relationship, raising the stakes for Tharlo as he contemplates significant changes in his life.

    Where
    Yangtso's Hairdressing Salon
  8. Yangtso Disappears

    The following morning, Tharlo wakes up to find that Yangtso has vanished without a trace. This sudden disappearance shatters his dreams of a new life with her, leaving him heartbroken and confused about his next steps.

    Where
    Town
  9. Tharlo's Despair

    Heartbroken and longing to reunite with Yangtso, Tharlo seeks solace at chief Dorje's station. He wishes to find her and escape his sorrow, but finds himself at a loss without any sense of direction or purpose.

    Where
    Police Station
  10. Return for Another ID

    In a surprising twist, chief Dorje instructs Tharlo to return to town for another ID card photograph due to his changed appearance after the haircut. This decision further compounds his feelings of bewilderment and hopelessness as he is pushed back into a situation he is struggling to understand.

    Where
    Police Station
  11. Wandering Alone

    Tharlo, still in a daze, wanders back into the mountains, feeling more isolated than ever. Each step deeper into the wilderness symbolizes his internal struggle and longing for connection, even as he tries to escape his current reality.

    Where
    Mountains
  12. Motorbike Fuel Runs Out

    As Tharlo rides along, he realizes that the fuel in his motorbike has completely run out. This moment of helplessness leads him to another round of self-indulgence in drinking, as he grapples with the emptiness left by Yangtso's absence.

    Where
    Mountains
  13. Igniting the Firecracker

    In a desperate moment of frustration and disillusionment, Tharlo ignites a firecracker, symbolizing his turbulent emotions. The screen fades to black just before the explosion, leaving his fate and future open to interpretation and uncertainty.

    Where
    Mountains

Last updated: November 18, 2024 at 20:25

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Timeline questions answered

Tharlo Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Tharlo (2016): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does Yangtso disappear after cutting Tharlo's hair?

Yangtso disappears because she was never genuinely interested in Tharlo. She takes advantage of his naivety and loneliness, convincing him to hand over his money for safekeeping. After she shaves off his ponytail, the final symbolic step of transforming him, she leaves town entirely, abandoning him with nothing.

Foreshadowing: Yangtso's initial approach is flirtatious but opportunistic; she suggests they travel together almost immediately, hinting at her wanderlust rather than genuine connection.

  • Yangtso
  • disappears
  • haircut
  • scam
  • Tharlo
Q2

What happens to Tharlo at the end?

Tharlo's fate is left ambiguous. He lights a firecracker in the mountains and the screen fades to black just before it explodes. The ending suggests he may have killed himself, suffered an accident, or simply walked away, but his desperate emotional state is clear either way.

Foreshadowing: The film builds to this moment through his gradual loss: his money, his love interest, his identity marker (the ponytail), and his purpose.

  • Tharlo
  • ending
  • firecracker
  • fate
  • death
Q3

Why does Tharlo abandon his sheep?

Tharlo abandons his sheep after meeting Yangtso because she's awakened a desire for freedom and adventure he never knew existed. The thrill of modern life and the excitement she represents lure him away from his responsibilities, despite the warnings about the danger of leaving his flock untended.

Foreshadowing: Dorje explicitly warns Tharlo that leaving the sheep alone is dangerous, but the allure of Yangtso's world proves stronger.

  • Tharlo
  • sheep
  • flock
  • Yangtso
  • abandon
Q4

Is Yangtso's relationship with Tharlo a scam?

Yangtso's relationship with Tharlo appears to be a scam. She woos him, takes his money for safekeeping, and then disappears without a trace. Whether she planned this from the beginning or simply lost interest after getting his money is ambiguous, but her behavior is fundamentally deceptive.

Foreshadowing: Yangtso is described as embodying modernity and rebellion; her instant attraction to the naive shepherd and quick suggestion to travel together suggests opportunism rather than genuine affection.

  • Yangtso
  • scam
  • deception
  • trust
  • money
Q5

Why do the wolves attack Tharlo's flock?

The wolves attack Tharlo's flock because he leaves them unattended while going to town to drink and pursue Yangtso. Without a shepherd to protect them, the wolves easily ravage a significant portion of the sheep.

Foreshadowing: Dorje warns Tharlo that leaving the sheep alone is dangerous, and the film establishes early that the mountains are treacherous.

  • wolves
  • flock
  • attack
  • Tharlo
  • negligence
Q6

What does Tharlo's ponytail symbolize?

Tharlo's ponytail symbolizes his identity as a traditional sheep herder and his connection to his simple mountain life. When Yangtso shaves it off, it's meant to represent a new beginning, but combined with her abandonment, it becomes a symbol of his lost innocence and naivety.

Foreshadowing: The ponytail is his defining physical trait, mentioned in the title and throughout the film as something precious to him.

  • ponytail
  • symbol
  • identity
  • tradition
  • Tharlo
Q7

What does the firecracker symbolize at the end of the movie?

The firecracker symbolizes Tharlo's desperation and the explosive end of his emotional journey. After losing everything, his money, his love, his identity, he resorts to one final, dangerous act. Whether it's a suicide attempt, a cry for help, or simply reckless destruction remains uncertain.

Foreshadowing: His pattern of using alcohol to cope escalates throughout the film, building to this final explosive act.

  • firecracker
  • ending
  • symbol
  • desperation
  • Tharlo
Q8

Why does Dorje send Tharlo back for another ID photo?

Dorje sends Tharlo back for another ID photo because his appearance has changed significantly after Yangtso shaves off his ponytail. The photo no longer matches his current look, so official procedure requires a new one.

Foreshadowing: The haircut is a major plot event that physically transforms Tharlo's appearance.

  • Dorje
  • ID
  • photo
  • Tharlo
  • haircut
Q9

What is the main theme of betrayal in Tharlo?

The main betrayal in Tharlo is Yangtso's deception, but the film also explores self-betrayal. Tharlo betrays his responsibilities by abandoning his sheep, he betrays his simple values chasing superficial excitement, and he ultimately betrays himself by losing everything in the process.

Foreshadowing: The sheep owner reprimands Tharlo for his negligence, and Yangtso's quick departure confirms the transactional nature of their connection.

  • betrayal
  • theme
  • Yangtso
  • Tharlo
  • loss

Movie threads

More Movies Like Tharlo, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Tharlo tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Quiet Journeys of Disillusionment like in Tharlo

Simple lives upended by encounters with a harsh, deceptive world. If you liked the poignant story of Tharlo's lost innocence, explore these movies that follow a similar emotional journey. These films feature characters experiencing a painful coming of age through deception and culture clash, all told with a slow, somber pacing and a contemplative mood.

  • contemplative
  • somber
  • disillusioned
  • quiet
  • lonely
  • poignant
  • Tone: melancholic, somber
  • Pacing: slow, contemplative
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives typically follow a linear path, beginning with a character's simple, often isolated existence. A catalyst, often a person or an opportunity, draws them into a new, unfamiliar world. The initial allure quickly fades, revealing deception and moral complexity, leading to a profound sense of loss and a changed perspective on life, often with an ambiguous or bittersweet resolution.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped together because they share a core focus on the loss of innocence narrative arc, paired with a specific atmospheric quality. They prioritize mood and character development over plot twists, using a slow pace and melancholic tone to immerse the viewer in the protagonist's poignant emotional journey.

Movies with Somber Landscapes like in Tharlo

Where the external environment mirrors a character's internal loneliness and conflict. Find movies like Tharlo that use their setting to enhance the story's emotional depth. These films often feature rural life and stark environments that mirror the characters' feelings of loneliness and isolation, creating a cohesive and immersive melancholic vibe.

  • atmospheric
  • isolated
  • contemplative
  • somber
  • quiet
  • rural
  • Tone: melancholic, isolated
  • Pacing: slow, atmospheric
Why these movies?

The story pattern: In these films, the narrative is deeply intertwined with the environment. The pacing is often deliberately slow to allow the audience to absorb the atmosphere. Characters are frequently depicted as small figures within large, imposing landscapes, emphasizing their solitude and the external forces shaping their personal journeys, which often involve themes of identity and belonging.

Why they belong together: These movies are connected by their masterful use of setting to build a specific, contemplative mood. The visual language of the film—the wide shots, the quiet sounds, the barren beauty—works in concert with the story to evoke a profound sense of place that is central to the viewing experience.

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Movies Like Tharlo

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Every angle

Tharlo (2016) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Tharlo in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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