Even though large areas of Tibet are still among the most remote places on earth for Westerners, cameras seem to get there without any problems. Cinema-goers have been able to get acquainted with the Tibetan landscapes and living conditions in recent years thanks to a variety of productions including Die Salzmänner von Tibet, Seven Years in Tibet and the Chinese eco-action film Kekexili. It is about time therefore that authentic Tibetan voices joined the clamour. Wanma-caidan, recently graduated from the film academy in Beijing, has made a convincing start with The Silent Holy Stones. In a clear style reminiscent of both recent Iranian cinema and of Japanese masters, he shows the life of several Tibetans during a few days of winter in a small village. A young lama is happy to be rid of his religious duties for a few days so he can spend some time with his family. He and his young friend, a living Buddha, thoroughly enjoy watching endless videos of a Chinese television series. With a sequence of minor events - the performance of a traditional Tibetan opera, an unexpected death, a fixer who rips off young people - Wanma-caidan provides a touching (but never overly saccharine) picture of contemporary life in Tibet, while also looking at the tension between local traditions and the temptations of Chinese kitsch and modern life. (GT)
- Director
- Wanma-caidan
- Country of production
- China
- Year
- 2005
- Festival Edition
- IFFR 2006
- Length
- 102'
- Medium
- 35mm
- Original title
- Lhing vjags kyi ma ni rdo vbum
- Language
- Tibetan
- Producers
- Beijing Myrio Cultural Development Co., Ltd., Beijing TODONEWS Advertisement Co., Ltd., Beijing Himalaya Audio & Visual Culture Communication Co., Li An
- Sales
- Beijing Myrio Cultural Development Co., Ltd.
- Screenplay
- Wanma-caidan
- Cinematography
- Du Jie
- Editor
- Fang Li, Yifu Zhou
- Production Design
- Wei Xiaozhou
- Sound Design
- Li Zhe
- Cast
- Danpei Luosang