A monk from Tibet arrives in Oakland in California on an unlikely mission: to meet his son after more than ten years of separation. The son, Tenzin, however, is untraceable. Alone and helpless, a stranger in a strange land, the monk, Rabga, finds rescue in another Tenzin, a Tibetan taxi driver, who offers help in locating his son. The two embark on a journey – chasing clues, connecting dots, putting together pieces – and, along the way, discover things about themselves and each other that put in sharp relief the inescapable realities of their common fate: as a people of imperiled identity and vanishing culture. The story of loss and longing is infused with pathos and, at times, humor, arising from the clashing worlds of Buddhist heritage, Yellow Cab business, and Oakland’s Homelessness, among others.
Director: Tashi Wangchuk and Tsultrim Dorjee
Writer: Tashi Wangchuk
Editor: Tashi Wangchuk
Richard Gere is My Hero
A heartwarming, character-driven romantic comedy with political undertones by the two exile filmmakers. The story follows a group of young Tibetan friends living in Mcleod Ganj, India, headquarters for the Tibetan government-in-exile. Nyima, who calls himself Richard and is a great admirer of Richard Gere for his acting and activism, has dreams of also becoming a famous actor and helping his beloved motherland. While Nyima and his friends go on whirlwind adventures through the city, a love triangle almost detours them from meeting their goal of performing in the Tibetan Youth Congress drama competition. Through the escapades of Nyima and his friends, Wangchuk and Dorjee show us how the many layers of life-including the romantic and the political can be imitated in art. While indicating the plight of being young, being in love, and being in exile, Richard Gere is My Hero never fails to be uplifting and is full of hope, both for Tibet and for the human spirit.
Director: Tashi Wangchuk and Tsultrim Dorjee
Writer: Tashi Wangchuk
Producer: Dickyi Wangmo and Ugen Dolma
Cinematography: Tsultrim Dorjee & Tashi Wangchuk
Music: Arun Sharma
Editor: Tsultrim Dorjee & Tashi Wangchuk
Phun Anu Thanu
A story of two good for nothing brothers, Anu and Thanu and their unconditional love for two beautiful and educated daughters, Yangzom and Dechen of Gyakpon la (a camp leader) of Dekiling Tibetan settlement, India. Anu and Thanu are known for their unruly characters while Yangzom and Dechen for their positive qualities. Much against the wishes of the respectable Gyakpon la, the two brothers strive hard to win the heart of his two daughters. The film takes off on the 10th March 2005 when every Tibetan goes to downtown, Dehra Dun, to commemorate the 1959 Tibetan Uprising in Lhasa. The two brothers, however, do not attend the march and lingers around with the two sisters. Since there is no one present at the colony, the time is also perfect for two thieves to do their business. However, love rules the heart of potbellied school cook, Machen la, as he is busy making love with the wine lady, Ama Changma. Apart from entertainment, the film touches social, political, moral and health issues.
Writer & Director: Tashi Wangchuk and Tsultrim Dorjee
Producer: Dickyi Wangmo and Ugen Dolma
Cinematography: Narinder Singh
Music: Tenzin Jamphel & Arun Sharma
Editor: Mohit Kumar
Film Length: 90 mins.
Democracy in Exile
A 30-minute length documentary commissioned by PSBT and India’s National Network TV- Doordarshan. The film is about two major options Tibetan exile community faces- Middle Way and the Independent Tibet. The film highlights the conflicting reality of Diaspora Tibetans in their struggle for future Tibet. It features Prof. Samdong Rinpoche, the then Prime Minister of Tibetan Govt. in Exile, Gudruk Kelsang Phuntsok, the then President of Tibetan Youth Congress and others.
The Gentleman of San Francisco
A Tibetan short film highlighting numerous issues and misfits of Tibetan society against the backdrop of the modern scientific world. It is a story of a Tibetan writer and his interaction with a conservative Tibetan neighbour who still performs divination in their daily lives in San Francisco Bay area.
Writer & Director: Tashi Wangchuk
Producer: Tsering Dorjee Bawa
Cinematography: Nyaljor Samten
Music: Tashi Gonpo
Editor: Tashi Wangchuk
Film Length: 40 mins.
Scent of Juniper
A docudrama about a Tibetan exile folk artist, Tsering Dorjee Bawa who lives in the San Francisco Bay area and his initiative in passing down centuries-old Tibetan literature and performing arts to younger generation Tibetans. He does so through the community’s weekend culture school, which serves these youngsters who were born and raised in the US.
Writer & Director: Tashi Wangchuk
Producer: Tsering Dorjee Bawa & Tashi Wangchuk
Cinematography: Tashi Wangchuk
Film Length: 30 mins.
Miss Tibet in Exile
A documentary about the making of Miss Tibet beauty pageant in India and the winning girl’s subsequent participation in the Miss Earth beauty pageant in the Philippines. The film portrays various behind the scene activities of the pageant’s organizer, Mr. Lobsang Wangyal, and it also features several notable Tibetan personalities including Mrs. Gyari Dolma, Minister, Tibetan Govt. in Exile, Mrs. B-Tsering, the President of Tibetan Women’s Association, Ven. Beri Jigme, Honorable member of Tibetan Exile Parliament and others.
Writer & Director: Tashi Wangchuk and Tsultrim Dorjee
Producer: Lobsang Wangyal Productions & Seykhar Films
Cinematography: Tashi Wangchuk & Tsultrim Dorjee
Music: Aaks Music.
Editor: Mohit Kumar
Film Length: 40 mins.