Tibetan Film Festival 2009, Bangalore (4th &5th July 2009)

’And I openly pledged my heart to the grave and suffering land, and often in the consecrated night, I promised to love her faithfully until death, unafraid, with her heavy burden of fatality, and never to despise a single one of her enigmas. Thus did I join myself to her with a mortal cord.’

Houlderlin, The Death of Empedocles

The image is Tibet but the story is universal. The story is of lost souls, of yearning, of time, of home, of hope. The story takes place not within boundaries but in the expanse of hearts and minds across the world. The story is an uncommon vision- of love and compassion and non-violence in face of so much brutal treachery. It is uncommon yet again because in spite of all the years and the efforts made to subdue it, the vision still burns bright. In that there is rebellion, there is an affirmation. It is here in this beguiling even vulnerable paradox, that it becomes the story of the indomitable human spirit.

The Foundation for Universal Responsibility of His Holiness The Dalai Lama & Alliance Francaise de Bangalore in collaboration with Bangalore Film Society, Charter for Human Responsibilities & Students for A Free Tibet are proud to present the Tibetan Film Festival 2009, Bangalore- a festival of acclaimed and award-winning feature films and documentaries that chronicle the history, the myth, the soul, the journey of Tibet and its people through the ages.

Saturday 4th July, 2009

11.30am to 12.00pm

Inauguration of Tibetan Film Festival 2009, Bangalore.
Tibetan Chanting.

12.00pm

Inaugural Film
Wheel of Time (83min) Dir: Werner Herzog
Eccentric and great, rogue director Werner Herzog portrays the Buddhist initiation ceremony of the Kalachakra (wheel of time) and transmutes the words and images into pure ecstasy and blinding light.

1.30pm-2.30pm

Lunch

2.30pm

The Lost World of Tibet (60min) Dir: Emma Hindley
An acclaimed co-production by BBC and the British Film Institute, ‘The Lost World of Tibet’ is a fascinating in-depth portrayal of the Tibetan condition through the ages featuring rare archival footage from the early 20th century and commentary from the Dalai Lama.

3.30pm-3.45pm

Tea

3.45pm

Dramgyen: The Lute (13min) Dir: Tashi Eugyalaversion
A short film on yearning, music and the place called Home.

4.00pm

The Cup (93min) Dir: Khyentse Norbu
A rage at film festival circuits when it premiered, ‘The Cup’ is a beautifully laidback, comedic and heart-warming tale of Orgyen, acolyte monk and rabid soccer enthusiast who tries to bend every rule in the monastery to feast his eyes on the live transmission from Stade de France, Paris as France take on defending champions Brazil.

6.15pm

Kundun(134min) Dir: Martin Scorsese
The fantastic Mr. Scorsese’s sweeping, operatic take on the turbulent life of the Dalai Lama, an epic tale of a man born into strife and intrigue, the pain of the exile and the quest for piece- ‘Kundun’ is an unforgettable cinematic experience- of landscapes you revisit in dreams.

Sunday 5th July, 2009

11.00am

Tintin in Tibet (46min)
The intrepid journalist of Le Petit Vingtieme along with a drunk but courageous captain, a mad genius scientist and the ever-faithful dog find themselves in the middle of exciting, enthralling, intriguing, edge-of-the-seat adventures as they venture bravely into the mystical and mysterious land of Tibet where nothing is what it seems.

11.45am

A discussion with Tibetan artists.

12.00pm

Art in Exile (40min) Dir: Nidhi Tuli & Ashraf Abbas
In poetry, in art, in the space between the artist and the art and the audience- Tibet survives and persists and resists.

12.40pm

The Tibetans: Life in Exile (63min) Dir: Robb Bradstock
A document of loss and longing as the exiles struggle to adapt to a new world away from home.

1.45pm-2.30pm

Lunch

2.30pm

Windhorse(97min) Dir: Paul Wagner
Oscar winner Paul Wagner directs a gripping political yarn about three young Tibetans and their quest for freedom.

4.10pm-4.30pm

Tea

4.30pm

Vajra Sky Over Tibet (89min) Dir: John Bush
A hypnotic, beautiful documentary filled with unforgettable images and sounds that chronicles a pilgrimage to some of the most holiest of places in occupied Tibet.

6.00pm

Leaving Fear Behind (20min) Dir: Dhondhup Wangchen
The Beijing Olympics are about to the played out and Tibetans living in Tibet openly voice their opinions on the spirit of the Olympics and the fallout it has had on them.

6.25pm

Tibetan Opera and Dance commemorating the enthronement of His Holiness the Dalai Lama by the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress, Bangalore Chapter.

6.30pm

Closing Film
The Horse Thief (88min) Dir: Tian Zhuangzhuang
Regarded by no less than Scorsese, Ebert and Rosenbaum as one of the greatest films of all time, ‘The Horse Thief’ is controversial director Zhuangzhuang’s tour-de-force. Stark, sparse, stunning, savage- it is a film like no other. Chronicling the life of a horse thief in Tibet, the movie moves towards nothing less than a revelation.

ADMISSION FREE.

Venue: Alliance Francaise de Bangalore, Thimmaiah Road, Vasanth Nagar, Bangalore – 52.

If you go down in the streets today, Baby, you better,
You better open your eyes.
Folk down there really don’t care, really don’t care, don’t care, really don’t
Which, which way the pressure lies,
So I’ve decided what I’m gonna do now.
So I’m packing my bags for the Misty Mountains
Where the spirits go now,
Over the hills where the spirits fly, ooh.
I really don’t know.

Page & Plant, Misty Mountain Top