“Snow Leopard” directed by Bama Tseden was shortlisted for the main competition of the 36th Tokyo International Film Festival

Movie “Snow Leopard” poster
At 14:00 pm on September 27, local time in Tokyo, the 36th Tokyo International Film Festival officially announced the shortlist of films. “Snow Leopard”, a work written and directed by Bama Tseden, was shortlisted for the main competition unit. This is the film’s success in the 80th Venice Film Festival. After being shortlisted for the International Film Festival and the 48th Toronto International Film Festival and completing its world premiere and North American premiere, it is another important shortlist and will have its Asian premiere in Tokyo. The film is produced by Wang Lei and is executive produced by Cai Duo. It stars Jinba, Xiong Ziqi, and Cai Ding Tashi, with Wang Zhuocuo as a special guest. It is shot by Belgian young photography director Matthias Delvaux, and is directed by special effects director Zhan Hansu and special effects director The Chinese team led by Zhang Beipeng, Fang Xiaobin and others formed the visual effects production team.
The movie “Snow Leopard” is the 8th Tibetan-language film directed by Wanma Tseden. It originated from director Wanma Tseden’s conception and insights while escaping from the epidemic in Xining, Qinghai in 2020. From the finalization of the script to the completion of filming and production, it took a long time 3 years. As we all know, the snow leopard is a globally endangered protected animal and is also the incarnation of a sacred spirit in the Tibetan belief system. In the film, the incident of “snow leopards killed nine Jie sheep” was used as the cause, and everyone surrounding the snow leopards and Jie sheep Each party has its own clear position, but neither party can convince the other party to agree. The seemingly reasonable demands in the film reached a deadlock during the incident, and it is difficult to get a perfect answer. In the film, Snow Leopard and Ren are not only The superficial opposition or identity relationship, the surreal connection between Snow Leopard and the character “Snow Leopard Lama” in the film, reveals a compassionate and life-long picture. Looking at each other through the eyes of Snow Leopard and Snow Leopard Lama, they are not only a dreamlike reunion from the depths of their memories, but also an action to resolve conflicts in their respective camps…
In the Tibetan film universe directed by Wanma Tseden, animals have always been an important image and expressive medium to convey his philosophy. This time, the snow leopard becomes the core narrative subject, making the film more focused on exploring the interdependent relationship between “heaven, earth, humans and beasts” on the plateau. For the first time, the film uses high-industrial-level CG technology on a large scale to create the first high-definition digital images of snow leopards in China and even the world. In the majestic and holy natural sanctuaries of Tibetan areas, the spiritual and surreal interactions between snow leopards and people are also It vividly demonstrates equal respect for life, harmonious coexistence and compassionate spirituality.
After its world premiere at the Venice International Film Festival, international media took the lead in giving positive reviews. Screen praised “Snow Leopard” as “the best witness to Pak Ma Tseden’s deep roots in Tibetan culture and global imagery.” The storytelling talent of the film’s vision, and the vivid and smooth image and interaction of Snow Leopard’s high-definition digital images produced with CG technology under the constraints of low-cost production.” The Film Verdit, a professional film review media, summarized the film as “emotionally rich, nuanced, and richly layered” that combines “a realistic drama rooted in the lives of herders, a fantasy story centered on the spiritual enlightenment of cause and effect, and a story about coexistence and Allegory of Wrestling.” The International Cinephile Society praised director Wanma Tseden for “fully grasping the pulse of the human condition.”
The movie “Snow Leopard” still stars the Tibetan actor Jinba. Jinba’s role has rich layers and is one of the focuses of the film’s dramatic conflict. It is a concentrated expression of the multi-faceted nature of human nature. He once said in an interview that the background of Jinba in the play is kind and compassionate, but for the responsibilities and burdens of the family and for life, he must maintain a highly responsible state. The dilemma of this character is also the complexity and contradiction of human nature. the focus. Xiong Ziqi, who was working with a director for the first time, admitted that participating in “Snow Leopard” was the luckiest thing in his life. From it, he felt that the relationship between man, nature and animals is an important issue in life. Caidin Tashi also expressed his special thanks to director Wanma Caidan for leading him all the way into the world of movies. In his opinion, “Snow Leopard” expresses his love for nature and how great this love is.
The film “Snow Leopard” is produced by Fu Ruoqing, Nan Ji, Zhu Liqing, Zhou Hao, Wanma Caidan, and Gong Yu. Dege Cairang serves as the sound director and composer, Dou Zedong serves as the art director, and the editing director is Jin Dy. The color director is Fu Shu. At the same time, it gathered Lobsang Chunpei, Genden Phuntsog, Genden, Dang Haoyu, Jiuxian Tairang, Gadou Tashi, Dechen Yangzong, Juqiong Khyentse, etc., who have collaborated with director Wanma Tseden many times. It was filmed in the Sanjiangyuan National Wetland Park in Maduo County, Qinghai Province. The location is called “Donggezona Lake” in Tibetan, which means a lake surrounded by a thousand mountains. The scenery is magnificent, and this This national wetland park is also the habitat of many endangered species such as snow leopards.
The movie “Snow Leopard” is produced by China Film Co., Ltd., Beijing Nanji Film Co., Ltd., Beijing Forbidden City Film Co., Ltd., Beijing Hot Opening Culture Media Co., Ltd., Qinghai Manishi Film Co., Ltd., Shenzhen Niubi Film Co., Ltd., Produced by iQiyi Pictures (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Beijing Ketwei Culture Development Co., Ltd., Hangzhou Hixi E-Commerce Co., Ltd., Aranya Film and Television Culture Co., Ltd., Shanghai Fangtan Culture Development Co., Ltd., and Beijing Movie Time Pictures Co., Ltd., and jointly produced by Qinghai Manishi Film Co., Ltd. and China Academy of Art Film and Television Media Co., Ltd.