By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, November 7: The 2016 Dharamshala International Film Festival (DIFF) wrapped up with the much-awaited Indian premier of Mickey Lemle’s ‘The Last Dalai Lama?’ at Hermann Gmeiner Auditorium at Upper TCV School on Sunday.
Appreciated with a standing ovation from the viewers, the director present during the screening thanked DIFF and viewers for the appreciation saying that it was gratifying to see the audience’s appreciation for his film.
In response to whether His Holiness has seen the documentary or not, Mickey told Phayul, “I presented him a copy on Wednesday. Since he was very busy, we only had the chance to watch the sequence of former US President George W. Bush Jr speaking on the effects of the Dalai Lama on him.”
However, many viewers also expressed their discomfort over the title, which in a way could be perceived as ‘ill-omen’ since the present Dalai Lama is alive and healthy.
Mickey said that in order to not offend any Tibetan, he had consulted two of His Holiness’s former representatives to the US, Rinchen Dharlo and Lobsang Nyandak Zayul, who recommended that ‘as long as it has the question mark, it is okay’.
The day also saw veteran Indian actor Naseeruddin Shah engaged in an hour-long conversation with well-known film critic, Rajeev Masand about Art and Industry. The actor was also present during the screening of his short film ‘Interior Café Night’. Shah who attended DIFF for the first time, was all praise for the festival. “I am not a great fan of film festivals and I seldom attend them as I find them too busy and there is too much hot air all around. This is truly the first film festival I have ever been to which I enjoyed. This festival truly is a celebration of cinema rather than a market place where you are trying to hustle. I would love to be back here in future,” he said.
Having received a great response towards the four-day film festival Ritu Sarin, DIFF Director said, “The audiences have been growing each year. When you see all these people going out of the hall, it has got an electric feeling, which takes us back to the days when we got inspired to make films.”
“We are taking it organically and see how it grown. But it does take time away from our film making,” she told Phayul.
The four-day festival screened 46 films including 27 feature narratives and documentaries films, 15 shorts and four children’s film. With over 20 countries represented, Tenzing said, “We are always looking to improve the festival with each passing festival.”
