Lama, painter, and friend of the director, Tenzing Norbou is the inspiration for the role of Norbou.

Nyima, who plays Norbou is also a Tibetan lama who passed through the Dolpo while fleeing exile in India. During filming, Nyima would often stop and point out a cave where he had slept with his companions or a village where he had begged for food during their exodus.

Eric Valli.