Zanskar Highway: Arte.tv Documentary Chronicles Himalayan Modernization

Since 2024, a 298-kilometer asphalt road, the Zanskar Highway, has connected the remote Ladakh region in the Indian Himalayas, one of the country's poorest areas. French filmmaker Marianne Chaud's documentary, 'La Route,' airing on Arte.tv, captures the profound transformation of local villagers as they transition into modernity. The film focuses on the isolated valleys of the Zanskar range, where the new highway is disrupting traditional ways of life, bringing both opportunities and challenges. Chaud's work documents the cultural and social shifts occurring as the region becomes more accessible, highlighting the impact of infrastructure on ancient communities.