By Tenzin Dickyi
New Delhi
Some film makers dazzle us with films that are slick, cool, and stylish where as some of them just touches our heart with a simple story. Kelsang Tsering Khangsar is one of those young aspiring film makers in our Tibetan community who with his debut film brought a new dimension to the Tibetan film fraternity. The story of a simple nun whose life revolves around her dingy house and stray dogs was well captured on camera by Kelsang Tsering who believes that happiness in one’s life can be experienced from simple things.
Films, the most powerful and international medium, has developed into a universal art form these days. It is probably the broadest and most varied creative opportunity through which one can not only entertain but also inform and communicate.
Recently, his film The Joy of Living, an hour-long documentary was nominated for the best documentary film (International) for the IV National Media Festival and Cine India International Film Festival (CIIFF). Taking the pride of being a Tibetan and able to make such a wonderful film makes this young film maker a real achiever. Few more independent projects in the run, Kelsang Tsering is at present busy assisting other projects and looking for a distributor for his short film “The Joy of Living”. Phayul got in conversation with this man who have many things to say about his film and film making as a career.
First of all congratulations for your film being nominated for the best documentary film (international) in the IV National Media Festival and Cine India International Film Festival (CIIFF)
Thank you so much for your encouragement. Actually i was overwhelmed with joy when i got the mail from the festival coordinator, and informed me about the selection. Last year after the screening of this film at Dharamsala in July, i sent the film to some film festivals and tried my luck. Unfortunately i couldn’t get through at that time. But at last, i got some share of success.
Though your film missed the award, how does it feel to get the film nominated for such prestigious award?
I felt very honored when my short documentary film was nominated for such a prestigious award. The kind of recognition given to my work is something that i would cherish all through my life. Specially, not denying the fact that this film is my first attempt and was produced with a shoe string budget.
Well, most of the nominated documentary films were already screened in various other national and international film festivals. Films like HOON and IN THE SHADOW OF PALMS have even won many awards before. But this time, the best documentary film was awarded to AFSPA ( Armed Force Special Power Act). It is an amazing film about the people’s movement in Manipur state ( INDIA) against the special power ( AFSPA – 1958 Act) given to Indian army by Central government. It unveils how the common citizens are often harassed, tortured and even killed by the law protectors themselves. This unfortunate situation has been carefully documented by the filmmaker in order to bring attention from the world.
Another documentary film titled THE FINAL SOLUTION was also given the special jury award. This film recounts the aftermath of the unpopular Gujrat violence in the year 2002. It shows how the state was once covered with the atmosphere of retaliation, fear and violence in the name of religion. I was very inspired by the filmmaker’s message.
So, in a nut shell, my film being nominated is a great award in itself. I am very happy that other two deserving films received the award.
So tell us something about your movie?
My film is about the life story of an elderly Tibetan Buddhist nun whose life has completely changed after adopting the street dogs. Well, I must state here that adoption was purely out of compassion and love for animals. For more than 3 decades, this Tibetan nun called Sonam Tsering, has been living with street dogs in Dharamsala. She has raised over 100 dogs under her tender care.
The 73 years old Anni Sonam now lives a very unconventional life. She is not clad in red robes or stays in nunnery. Normally dressed in old clothes thrown by people she looks after her pack of dogs at home like a mother. The nun has sacrificed herself to save the dogs and help them from misery. So the film throws light on the transformation of her life, and in parallel I attempted to capture almost all the facets of the nun’s life including some of her inner feelings about animal-human relationship, the economic, social challenges etc in old age.
What brought you to that subject basically?
Most of the Tibetan films, say it feature film or documentary tells about the stories of Tibetan Buddhism and political struggle. So we rarely have some film that could reflect the stories of grass root society. Something that could entertain, inspire, and pass down the knowledge to our younger generation. The story of Anni Sonam Tsering is one such story that interest me. Myself, being born and brought up in Dharamsala, i have always witnessed her unconditional love for the dogs since my childhood. I have seen her several times carrying a huge tin to collect scraps and leftover foods from parties, hotels in order to feed the dogs. So Kyi Anni was quite a familiar face to me. But I didn’t know in detail about her transformation, and even where her house is.
It was after working in Pema Dhondup’s film – WE ARE NOT MONKS (2003), I was excited to make to a documentary film about Kyi Anni, because her story was very special to me. After talking to the nun about my mini film on the street one day, I headed towards Kyi Anni’s home with my small home video next morning. Finally i saw her plastic makeshift house, and begin to step in gradually. It was very dingy, looks like a garbage house. I was really moved by her pathetic condition. It was difficult to imagine where i was standing. I literally felt like i was entering a different world. The poor nun was chanting prayers with huge dogs and small puppies all sleeping around her. The feeling of excitement and amusement rapidly cooled down. So from that moment, I decided to tell her story to the world.
Since i wish to produce the film in better quality, i kept searching for some financial help for about 3 years. But at the same time, I was also following the nun with my simple video. Finally all the assurances of help from people and friends didn’t materialize. So I was determined to complete her story and not wait any longer. I had to do most of the things myself writing scripts, filming, editing and even producing. My friend Tenzin Thardoe also helped me in assisting with the camera. I know it sounds pretty strange to manage everything by one person, but this is the fact.
Did you take any formal training in direction?
No, I haven’t done any formal course in filmmaking or direction as such. Actually i studied political Science in graduation, and later completed one year diploma in mass communication through correspondence from Punjab University. Whatever little I know today about filmmaking or direction is basically learned through consistent observations and actually working in various film productions. Whenever I get a chance to come close to the set during the film shooting,i tried to put my attention on the director giving instructions to actors and also on discussing shots with DOP( director of Photography). Well,I also learn a lot by watching films and reading books.
Who has been a major influence for you as a filmmaker ?
Ok,this one is difficult to answer. Actually it was myself. I wanted to learn the art of making films so that I could tell the world the about our Tibetan culture and Tibetan cause. But surprisingly, I got attracted to filmmaking after completing my graduation.
It was in my college year that i directed a small stage play for fund raising purpose and I enjoyed the experience. So,after working in a Tibetan NGO for about a year,I was thinking of various ways through which I could contribute better to society. Relishing the wonderful experience at college, i wanted to do filmmaking. I deeply felt that in our Tibetan community there are very few people involved in filmmaking or even video productions. And most of the Tibetan films are either directed or produced by foreigners. You know that film is a very powerful medium which could reach millions of people irrespective of literacy.
So I happily jumped in Pema Dhondup’s film project (2003)with a great desire to learn something about the art film making. Then i gradually keep looking for projects.
Are you planning to direct any other film in near future?
Yes, i have couple of plans now. But i am still gradually figuring out with research and budget in each project. I am thinking about another documentary but I don’t like to give title as such until its ready. Actually I am tempted by fictions, may be I should try soon with short films.
What kind of challenges did you face while making this film?
The foremost challenge like any other independent film maker was the financial part. Though i confess that my film was produced on a shoe string budget, but still it was not easy for a person who was attempting to make his career also. Since it was my first attempt to write a proper script, i had nightmares for few days. I think it would be a same situation for any new person. I began to look for advices and help. In fact even after my script was complete, I have to find a suitable visuals that could express the situation. Another thing that gave me so much of headache was my editing computer, the hard disk unfortunately broke down at the end.
What’s your opinion about the current crop of movies in the Tibetan community ?
I am very glad that our younger generation has started to tell the story through films. New Tibetan films like KADRIN, TSAMPA TO PIZZA and METSE gives a good reflection of many things that we want to share with others. Different feelings, experiences, and messages that we want to tell the people and i really appreciate their courage and attempt.
What were some of the memorable moments in making of this film ?
When i first saw the nun sleeping with so many dogs in her dingy home, that particular scene became an indelible memory for me. Another memorable thing about making the film was, after much attempt i was able to complete a script. It was the first draft. But i was not happy about the ending of the story, as it tell that the nun continuous to live in that poor house. It gives a depressing feeling to the audience. I wish to change, but could not help it.
And one night during the post production of the film, the fire accident destroyed the Anni’s house completely. The candle which was used to give light at night unfortunately became the cause of destruction. So a small group of sympathetic people, consisting of some young Tibetans and foreign tourist raised donation to rebuild the house. Eventually, this development gave a touching conclusion to my film. She lives in a new house today, and so the film tries to tell about karma also. This whole episode of reconstruction became very memorable to me.
What does ” The Joy of Living ” mean to you and what is it that you would like people to take from it or bring to it upon viewing the film?
We all have different ways of experiencing or perceiving the happiness in our lives. Some people find great joy when they hit success in life, but for some a good life partner is all they wish. But this film – THE JOY OF LIVING attempts to throw light on how this elderly Tibetan nun finds happiness. So when the dogs stays away from problem, she gets immense joy.
It is my inner feeling that everyday when we set out for daily lives, we tend to ignore or feel useless to think about love and compassion. We normally imagine that these things should be talked or cared only by monks, saints or altruist people. So in order to inspire people about the human love and compassion, the film makes an appeal. The strength of human courage is something that i want to show through Anni Sonam Tsering’s life.
What would be your words of inspiration to aspiring director?
First of all I must say that I am not an experienced director as such. You know that this is my debut film and you can also put me in the section of aspiring directors too. But there are few things that I would like to share with my friends. According to my knowledge, today world is excited to see new films on Tibet particularly produced by Tibetan themselves. They want to know the Tibetan society through our eyes Although we all wish to tell our stories or make films with big camera but I thinkthe content of the story is what pulls the people to screenings.
Since most of the upcoming directors have written their script, it is also important to give a proper beat to the story. I think it is very helpful to read some books of screenwriting. And also by watching the films carefully, I believe we can learn a lot about the rhythm of the story, climax and also direction.
Kelsang Tsering Khangsar has worked in 7 film projects so far. 3 Tibetan movies and 4 international productions.
TIBETAN FILM PROJECTS:
1.WE ARE NOT MONKS (2003)
2.DREAMING LHASA (2003)
3.RICHARD GERE IS MY HERO (2007)
INTERNATIONAL FILM PROJECTS:
1.VALLEY OF FLOWERS (2004)
2.LOOKING FOR COMEDY IN MUSLIM WORLD (2004)
3.DHARAMSALA – (documentary)
4.THE DARJEELING LTD (2007)
