On May 8, 2023, Wan Ma Tsedan, a famous Chinese screenwriter, film director and writer, died of a heart attack in Lhasa, Tibet, at the age of 53.
His death is a great loss for the Chinese film industry and a great regret for national culture.
As the pioneer and inheritor of Tibetan films, Wan Ma Tseden uses his works to show the life, beliefs, emotions and dilemmas of the Tibetan people, presenting a real and diverse Tibet to the world.
He was the first Chinese director to shoot a film in Tibetan, and the first Tibetan director in China to win an award at an international film festival.
He has directed many films on Tibetan themes, including "Quiet Mani Stone", "Old Dog", "Colorful Divine Arrow", "Looking for Zhimei Genden", "Hitting a Sheep to Death", "Balloon" and so on.
His works have won high praise and many awards at mainstream film festivals at home and abroad, such as the Golden Rooster Award, Golden Horse Award, Venice Film Festival, Tokyo International Film Festival, etc.
Berlin International Film Festival comment: "Wan Ma Tseden has won praise from the audience and judges for his unique film language and deep understanding of Tibetan culture. His works combine the beauty and challenges of Tibet, presenting viewers with a unique and thought-provoking perspective with delicate emotions and compelling stories. "
Venice International Film Festival comment: "Wanma Tsedan's films show a unique insight into human nature and social issues. Through authentic storylines and powerful performances, he provokes viewers to think about cultural identity, free will, and life. His directing talent and attention to detail have made him one of the most high-profile directors in the international film industry. "
Cannes Film Festival comment: "Wan Ma Tsedan's film works have won the love of the audience with their distinctive visual style and emotional touch. Through his in-depth exploration of Tibetan culture and traditions, he brings us unforgettable stories and intense visual experiences. His directing skills and focus on social issues make him one of the important representatives of contemporary film art. "
The films that have been released by Wan Ma Tseden are all set in Tibet, with the Tibetan people as the protagonists and the Tibetan language as the language. With his unique perspective and style, he depicts the changes and conflicts in Tibetan society, shows the tradition and modernity of the Tibetan people, and reflects the thickness and delicacy of Tibetan culture.
His works not only have strong regional and national characteristics, but also have universal human care and artistic value. He is not only an excellent film director, but also a profound social observer and cultural communicator.
This article will review Wan Ma Tsedan's major film works and briefly analyze his academic contributions to Chinese film and national cultural dissemination.
Quiet Mani Stone (2002): This is Wan Ma Tsedan's first feature film, based on his own novel of the same name. The story tells the story of a young Tibetan boy who lives with his mother and sister in a village on the Qinghai Plateau after his father's death. He cherished a mani stone (a stone used for prayer) left by his father, but it was stolen by a photographer from the city. The little boy embarks on a difficult journey to retrieve the mani stone.
The film shows the difficulties and conflicts faced by the Tibetan people in the process of modernization, as well as their adherence to and pursuit of traditional culture and beliefs.
The film won the Best Director Debut Award at the 25th Chinese Film Golden Rooster Awards, and the Best Director Award at the 9th Shanghai International Film Festival Asian Newcomer Award.
In Search of Tommy Genden (2009): This is Wan Ma Tsedan's second feature film and is based on his own novel of the same name. The story tells the story of a Tibetan girl named Jimi Genden who suddenly disappears just before she is about to get married. Her fiancé Dorjee sets out with her brother Dawa to find her, experiencing various adventures and dangers along the way.
The film delves into cultural identity, the collision of tradition and modernity, and the relationship between the individual and society. Through the director's role, the audience can feel his love and pursuit of traditional culture, as well as the struggle to find personal value and self-identity in modern society.
At the same time, the search for the clue of Jimi Genden symbolizes the search for precious people and values in traditional culture, showing the call for cultural inheritance and protection.
Through delicate emotional depictions and beautiful photography, Tibet's magnificent scenery and rich cultural heritage are displayed. Through meticulous shots and natural performances, it transports the audience into a world full of mystery and fascination.
The details show the delicate aspects of Tibetan culture, such as traditional art performances and national costumes, which further deepen the audience's understanding and cognition of Tibetan culture.
The film won the Grand Jury Prize at the 12th Shanghai International Film Festival and the Best Film nomination for the Golden Leopard Award at the 62nd Locarno International Film Festival.
Old Dog (2011): This is Wan Ma Tsedan's third feature film, original screenplay. The story tells the story of an old Tibetan herdsman, Aka, who clashes and entanglements with his son Akbar after his old dog was snatched away by the city's people. The old herdsman wants to keep his old dog.
With family and relationships as the theme, Old Dog explores the meaning of life and thinking about traditional values through the story of an old man and his dog. The film reveals the impact of social change on human relations and moral values, and conveys a warm reminiscence of traditional values.
For Chinese film culture, "Old Dog" is of great significance. It highlights the importance of family relationships in Chinese culture and conveys the cherishing of family, friendship and loyalty through the emotional bond between the protagonist and his pet dog.
In addition, the film also presents the challenges and changes facing Chinese society through thinking about social change and moral concepts. It puts forward the thinking and reflection on traditional values, provoking the audience to reshape moral concepts and rethink values in modern society.
This is a positive boost for Chinese film culture, encouraging audiences to think and discuss social issues and moral dilemmas.
BBC Comment: "Old Dog" touched the hearts of the audience with its delicate emotional expression and real scene depiction. Through the story of an ordinary person, it explores the meaning of life and a deep understanding of human emotions.
Released in 2014, "Colorful Divine Arrow" tells the story of a Tibetan teenager who grew up in the production of his ancestral skill bow and arrow. Through the perspective of a teenager, the film vividly shows the essence of bow and arrow making skills and the mystery of folklore in Tibetan traditional culture. The film presents the integration of traditional culture and modern life in Tibet, and also reveals the problems faced by the Tibetan people in cultural and social change.
Academically, the Colorful Divine Arrow is regarded as an important object of Tibetan culture and art research.
New York Times Commentary: This film is a dialogue between traditional culture and modern society, it takes the growth story of Tibetan teenagers as a clue, and depicts the struggle and balance between cultural inheritance and modernization of the Tibetan people.
Released in 2015, "Tharlo" tells the story of a Tibetan herder who finally strengthens his faith in life after experiencing the tempering of love, family affection and friendship. The film presents the magnificent scenery and profound cultural heritage of the Tibetan plateau, and also shows the cultural shock and life changes faced by Tibetan herders in the process of modernization. The film expresses the faith and meaning of life of the Tibetan people, while also exploring the relationship between culture and modernization.
Academically, Tharlo is regarded as an important object of study of Tibetan culture and ethnic identity.
Wall Street Journal Comment: This film is a quest for the meaning and belief of life, it takes the beauty and mystery of the Tibetan plateau as the background, expressing awe for life and exploration of the world.
"Hit and Kill a Sheep" (2018): This film tells the story of a shepherd who faces public opinion and moral pressure after he hits and kills a sheep. Through the situation of shepherds, the film explores the hardships and conflicts of herders' lives, while also presenting the complexity of moral concepts and personal responsibilities in Tibetan society.
The film highlights the connections between the Tibetan people and animals, the natural environment, and morality and ethics, while reflecting the moral dilemmas they face in modern society.
Screen Daily Review: "Hit and Kill a Sheep" is an unforgettable film that provokes the audience to think about the interactive relationship between the individual and society with its realistic and delicate depiction. It shows the questioning of power and justice through events in a small town.
"Balloon" (2019): This is the last film released by Wan Ma Tsedan, and it is also one of his high-profile works.
The film tells the story of a family who herds sheep for a living coping with the impact of new policies and modernization processes on their lives. Symbolized by a floating balloon, the story explores issues of individual freedom, national identity and cultural heritage.
Through the delicate depiction of the life of the Tibetan people, the film offers deep reflections on nature, beliefs and traditions, as well as the impact of modernization on Tibetan culture and the environment.
Variety commented: Balloon is a stunning work that explores the conflict between traditional culture and free will in the process of modernization through the story of a family. Through delicate emotional and visual presentation, the film shows the desire for life and the reflection on traditional values.
Wan Ma Tsedan's film works are not only artistic explorations, but also have social and political significance. His film lenses of the plight of the Tibetan people and cultural struggles provoke reflections on social justice, human rights and national identity.
Sri Lankan has passed away, but his works will continue to inspire people's research and attention to national culture, and contribute to the cultural diversity and inheritance of the nation.
For the director's posthumous works "Stranger" and "Snow Leopard", please continue to pay attention!