As reported by Christopher Majka of National Film Board of Canada
BEVERLY HILLS, October 19 — “WHAT REMAINS OF US,” Canadian filmmakers Francois Prevost and Hugo Latulippe’s riveting feature film was awarded Best Documentary at last night’s Hollywood Film Festival 2004 Gala at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.
The non fiction film, documenting a young Tibetan woman’s—Kalsang Dolma—journey back to her ancestral homeland to bring a message of hope from the Dalai Lama to his people, received enthusiastic and prolonged applause upon the announcement as the prize winner from the audience comprised of fellow awardees and presenters Leonardo Di Caprio, Annette Benning, Mel Gibson, Jaime Foxx, Michael Mann, Walter Salles, Bob Berney, Keanu Reaves, Scarlet Johansen, Robert Downey Jr., and Keira Knightly.
“I accept this award in the name of all the Tibetans who continue to believe that non-violence is the only acceptable path in the face of injustice. At this very moment, in Tibet, people still live under a yoke of suffering. Yet after 50 years of repression, they have not lost their hope,” Kalsang Dolma said to thunderous applause at her acceptance speech. “Tibet does not need more sympathy; Tibet needs action.”
Filmmaker Prevost added “‘WHAT REMAINS OF US’ is not only a question for Tibetans, but for all humanity. If we let a peaceful people disappear under a military-economy power, what kind of message are we sending to our future generations?”
Filmed at extreme risk without the knowledge of the Chinese authorities, “WHAT REMAINS OF US” documents all strata of Tibetan society – from rural extended families to young monks and nuns to modern urban youth – gathering covertly, transfixed and moved by images of their religious and political leader speaking to them on a portable video monitor. The five-minute message is a joyous experience for some and a powerful inspiration for others, but it never fails to be profoundly moving as seen in the faces of the Tibetan people as they continue their peaceful resistance to the occupying Chinese.
Officially selected at Cannes 2004 Critics’ Week, the film garnered People’s Choice Award and Best Canadian Feature Film nods at the Atlantic Film Festival, as well as Most Popular Canadian Film at the Vancouver International Film Festival.
“WHAT REMAINS OF US” has been invited to screen this fall at the Times London Film Festival and at the International Documentary Film Festival in Amsterdam, and it has been submitted for consideration for the 2005 Academy Awards. Seventh Art Releasing will release the film in theaters in the U.S.
In a move to protect the identities of the Tibetans who appeared on camera, filmmakers and the National Film Board of Canada have been proceeding very cautiously with the release of the film. All screenings were held under extra security measures to ensure that a copy of the film or the images of the people does not fall into the wrong hands.
Both Kalsang Dolma and Francois Prevost are available for interviews and “WHAT REMAINS OF US” is available for private screenings. In the United States interested parties may contact TCDM & Associates at (213) 624-7827 for details.
“WHAT REMAINS OF US” is a Nomadik Films Production in co-production with the National Film Board of Canada and has US distribution through Seventh Art Releasing.
About the NFB
Now in its 65th year, the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) has produced more than 10,000 films and other audiovisual works, and won more than 4,500 awards – including 10 Oscars. As Canada’s public film producer, the NFB produces and distributes distinctive, culturally diverse, challenging and relevant audiovisual works that provide Canada and the world with a unique Canadian perspective.
Further information on the film can be obtain at:
http://nfb.ca/whatremainsofus/
Christopher Majka
Publicity: National Film Board of Canada
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
(902) 425-3725 c.majka@ns.sympatico.ca
