Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, Sept. 27: ‘State of Statelessness’, a Tibetan-language anthology feature film, has been officially selected for the 29th Busan International Film Festival, where it will have its world premiere from October 2-11 in the ‘A Window on Asian Cinema’ section. This prestigious selection is a major milestone for Tibetan cinema, as Busan is one of Asia’s leading film festivals, known for showcasing unique voices and compelling stories from across the continent.
Produced by the Dharamshala-based Drung Tibetan Filmmakers’ Collective, the film poignantly explores themes of statelessness and migration through four distinct stories about Tibetans living in exile. Directed by Tibetan filmmakers based in India, America, and Vietnam, the anthology sheds light on the painful realities of displacement faced by Tibetans scattered around the world.
According to the film’s synopsis, the anthology tells four compelling stories; In one, a Tibetan father in Vietnam explains to his young daughter how the Mekong River, which originates in his homeland, flows into the sea in their new country, symbolising their journey into exile. Another story follows two estranged sisters who reunite to cremate their mother, only to discover that years of separation have created deep emotional complexities they must confront. The third narrative focuses on Sonam, who is recovering from a family tragedy when a visit from a long-lost school friend from America forces him and his wife to face the fragility of their lives. In the final tale, a son returns to his late father’s home in Dharamshala, where he uncovers a family secret that challenges his understanding of both his heritage and identity.
Tenzin Tsetan Choklay, the New York and Dharamshala-based filmmaker who also produced ‘State of Statelessness’, told Phayul that the film’s selection for the prestigious Busan International Film Festival marks a significant milestone for Tibetan filmmakers. He believes this recognition elevates Tibetan voices and highlights the diversity and complexity of their narratives.
“The global stage provided by Busan brings much-needed attention to our stories. This recognition not only validates the artistic merit of our work but also gives momentum to the broader Tibetan filmmaking community, encouraging younger generations to share their own stories and, hopefully, attracting more support and opportunities for Tibetan cinema. This has been our goal at Drung Tibetan Filmmakers’ Collective since the very beginning,” the Tibetan filmmaker told Phayul. Tenzin Tsetan Choklay’s feature documentary film “Bringing Tibet Home” also premiered at the Busan International Film Festival in 2014 in its Wide Angle section.
He said that the film is deeply rooted in the themes of exile, migration, and identity. “Through the personal and intimate stories in the film, we aim to evoke empathy and understanding for those who live without a state to call their own. We hope that viewers will leave with a greater appreciation for the shared human experience, realising that the struggles of stateless people are universal, and that we all face similar challenges regardless of nationality or borders,” he further said.
The film director also spoke about how the film is shaped by the personal and collective experiences of exile. “The anthology format allows different filmmakers, including myself, to bring our unique perspectives from various corners of the Tibetan diaspora. Even within our own exile community, there are diverse experiences. The style of the film is influenced by where each of us comes from and the transient spaces we inhabit. My own experience of living in Dharamshala, South Korea, New York, and Europe has shaped the way I see the world and tell stories. The themes of disconnection, longing, and identity that run through the film are deeply personal to all of us who worked on it,” he shared.
Drung is a collective of Tibetan filmmakers based in Dharamsala fostering a community that shares knowledge, skills and connections to tell stories about Tibet, India and beyond. The group is dedicated to the advancement of story-telling in the Tibetan exile communities by building a community of story-tellers through workshops, film screenings and other educational programs.
