By Shyamal Sinha,New Delhi
Hema Hema, a modern fairytale largely shot in a remote village in Bhutan, examines the themes of identity and the transition between life and death. From tumblr.com
Bhutanese lama, filmmaker, and writer Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche made its world premiere in Switzerland earlier this month. Titled Hema Hema: Sing Me a Song While I Wait, the film debuted at the Locarno Film Festival (3–13 August) to a positive reception.
Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche has previously directed three major feature films: Vara: A Blessing(2013), Travellers and Magicians (2003), and The Cup (1999). He is also the author of the books Not for Happiness: A Guide to the So-Called Preliminary Practices (Shambhala, 2012) and What Makes You Not a Buddhist (Shambhala, 2007).
Hema Hema, which can been translated as “once upon a time . . .” takes the form of a modern fairytale, largely shot in a remote village in Bhutan, that examines the themes of identity, anonymity, illusion, reality, and the transition between life and death.
Executive producer Jeremy Thomas, known for working on such cinematic hits as Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1982), The Last Emperor (1987), and Little Buddha (1993), presented the screening in Locarno, alongside Bhutanese producer and photographer Pawo Choyning Dorji.
“I’ve been with [Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche] in all his films, to sort of support him,” said Thomas, who also spent time in Bhutan for the filming of Little Buddha, on which Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche worked as a consultant. “He also has an enormous film knowledge; really knows cinema back to front. . . . The story that he’s telling in this film it has a credibility to it, because of his telling the story. It’s the story of a man’s [spiritual] journey to act the way you would act if you had no identity.” (Variety)
The film is scheduled to make its North American premiere this year at the Toronto International Film Festival (8–18 September).
