The radical Indo-Tibetan film ‘We’re No Monks’ received its UK premiere in London on Sunday 11 July 2004. More than 100 people attended the screening organised by the Tibet Society of the UK and the Tibetan/Jewish Youth Exchange, the London-wing of Tibetan youth movement Longsho.
Director Pema Dhondup was there to answer questions after the film. The reaction to the film was universally favourable, although many people were surprised and disturbed by its naturalistic portrayal of life in Dharamsala.
Answering questions from the audience after the screening, Pema Dhondup said that his abiding inspiration was His Holiness the Dalai Lama and his example of showing compassion in the face of his enemy. He said: ‘The world needs to resolve the Tibetan issue while the Dalai Lama is there to guide his people or it may be too late.’
In terms of his cinematic influences, Pema Dhondup said that he was particularly influenced by Italian neo-realism, for instance ‘The Battle of Algiers’, and Hollywood films such as ‘Pulp Fiction’. He added that he was still finishing his film for theatrical distribution and that financial aid would be necessary for him to achieve this.
Philippa Carrick of the Tibet Society said: ‘When we organised the screening of ‘We’re No Monks’, we knew the film dealt with vital issues confronting the Tibetan community, such as drug problems among Tibetan youth and the temptation to take up violence in the struggle for freedom. But none of us knew whether it was any good. I am delighted to say that the film exceeded all expectations: it is an excellent, sophisticated, gripping and genuinely innovative piece of contemporary cinema that demands to be seen by a worldwide audience.’
