At the first official screening of her second work ‘Destiny’s Children’, Pimmi Pande shared her thoughts about the film and her relation with the Tibetan issue.
How did you get involved in the Tibetan issue?
That was many years ago. Through personal interest and also due to the exposure I had on the issue when I was a child. There was also the media attention on Tibet which reached a new height through the Hollywood movies. Since I have a background in film making, I decided to do something on my part.
I visited Dharamsala few years back to make my first film. It was called Promised Land-the Tibetan story. The first film dealt mostly about the historical background, the Diaspora and the exile communities challenges in the new culture. The film also tells stories of human rights problem within Tibet.
Why the second film?
During the making of Promised land, I picked up lots of mixed feelings among the Tibetans in general and the youth in particular. I came across Tibetan youth who expressed frustration and a need to take up arms.
I started my work on this film from Aug 2001 and the whole thing was completed by July 2002.
On a personal level, do you really believe Tibetans will turn violent in future?
On a personal level, well, I feel optimistic. By which I mean to say, everything is a learning process. I don’t think, people will throw away everything His Holiness the Dalai Lama teaches. I believe, fundamentally at heart they will continue keeping the messages of His Holiness and work towards achieving that.
But then we will also see small groups who will look for fast results. It is quite natural. However the majority will realize that the change will come from China. I am therefore optimistic. Not only of Tibetans keeping the peaceful struggle going on, but also of changes happening within China and eventually resolving the issue. It will happen.
Your impression on the Tibetan youth in exile with respect to preserving the cultural heritage.
Tibetans in exile have done so well in this respect. The heart is there, the good intention. Considering the fact that Tibetans in exile live in a changing society which is open and which has lots of exposure to the western influence, good and bad, the new generation Tibetans are coping so well. We can look at the young monks and nuns and understand the challenges they have in hand. Unlike in Tibet in the past, to be bombarded with outside culture and with no seclusion. It’s really tough. Yet they continue to remain Tibetan. It’s remarkable.
Your prime audience in mind while making the film?
First of all, the movie is primarily for the Tibetan community. I think the issue of whether the Tibetans will remain peaceful or not gets distorted at times and there is a need of a reflection. I hope this film will benefit the Tibetans common interest in this way.
For the rest of the audiences, the film would serve to address the issue of urgency. In the light of events that occurred in the US and other places, the same disillusionment and seed of doubt is also discernable among the young Tibetans. I feel the world needs to look at the small issues and give the attention that is due to them before the situation deteriorates out of hand. Moreover, now that the global community has become very small and no event is isolated as it used to be. This movie hopes to give a sense of urgency and help bring more attention to the peaceful struggle of the Tibetans..
About the film
Destiny’s Children is approximately a 28 minute long documentary film grappling for an answer to the question- will the new generation Tibetans make a U-turn in future to take up a violent struggle. Pimmi Pande’s film delves into the minds and hearts of the young Tibetans through a series of interviews interposed with images of Tibetans living in exile. The director dedicates her film to the Tibetan youth and hopes such a U-turn would not really become a reality in future.
