The Search

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Padma Tseten, 2009, 112 min. 

Director’s second feature film. Far removed from the western imagery of a dreamlike Shangri-La, mythologized by years of political seclusion a Tibetan film director travels from village to village across the country looking for an actor and an actress to star in his next film., He hears talk of people with the skills he needs, but they always seem to have just left or living somewhere else, as if he’s come too late. The Search is a road movie exploring a disappearing culture, taking the viewer straight into the heart of contemporary Tibet. This elegant film recently debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival and is the first ever to be shot entirely in Tibet in the Tibetan language by a local crew.

In Tibetan with English Subtitles

 Q&A with filmmaker and closing night reception to follow

Presented by The Modern Tibetan Studies Program at Columbia University, Maysles Cinema, Machik and the Kham Film Project

The Grassland

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Padma Tseten, 2004, 22 min. 

Director’s first film.When an elderly woman’s yak goes missing, her husband is sure he knows who the culprits are, but the woman is more concerned about avoiding further suffering for the suspects. A careful and moving study of different views of resolving conflict in a nomadic community. Many are suspected, but the village head is shocked when his investigation reveals an unexpected thief.

In Tibetan with English Subtitles

The Silent Holy Stones

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Padma Tseten, 2005, 102 min. 

Director’s first feature. The debut feature from the preeminent Tibetan filmmaker working today. The Silent Holy Stones is a restrained, unhurried story of a 10-year old Tibetan monk who has the chance to spend a few days at New Year with his family in their village a day’s horse ride away. The boy’s journey to his village and back to the monastery bring to light explores the powerful intertwined forces of westernization and consumerism that are a powerful presence even in a small Tibetan farming community on a 10-year old boy in China who is sent by his family to train as a Buddhist monk.

In Tibetan with English Subtitles

Q & A with filmmaker to follow