The Graduate & Show Biz

Source: Kuenselonline

4 February, 2010 - In the face of rising challenges for limited jobs in the market, a handful of graduates have considered trying their luck with the growing local film industry.

A little help from someone familiar in the industry and a green signal from the family clubbed with good looks and genuine enthusiasm for acting are all that it takes for a fresh graduate vying to make it in show business.

Besides, with ever increasing demand for local Bhutanese films in the market and a handful of actors appearing in almost every Bhutanese flick, graduates opting for the entertainment business is welcome news for a film industry hungry for new young faces.

Like Karma C Rangdon, 25, from Chukha, who recently graduated from St Joseph’s college, Darjeeling has appeared in two films – Four Friends and Sha Dang Simo.

Apart from his interest in making movies, Karma said it was his big opportunity to establish his identity in society. “I was drawn into the industry because I love show business and the glamour associated with it,” he said.

Karma is focused on making a mark in the industry, following which offers will flow in, he feels. “It’s up to individuals to make their own places in the film industry,” Karma said. “I’m working hard to establish myself and pave my career in the film industry.”

Tandin Bidha, 23, from Gaptay in Paro, has been in the industry since 2006, before she even graduated. But she took a break from films to pursue her studies at the Indian Academy degree college in Bangalore.

Today, Tandin, who, like Karma, enjoyed being on stage and performing since she was in school, has five films in her portfolio. So far, she appeared in Home Sweet Home, Four Friends, Ya Ma So, The Chasing Bride and is currently working on Sarim Jarim.

“I’ll continue acting as long as there are audiences to watch my movies,” she said. “Unlike most parents, my mother is supportive of what I do for a living,” Tandin said.

Director Nima Yoezer, who studied movie direction in Tokyo, said the film industry offered ample space for young graduates to showcase their talents and pursue their dreams of becoming actors and entertainers. “It’s also a good place to develop personal relations with different people,” he said.

BY Phub Tshering

Sem gi jurwa

Source: Bhutan times

Written by Administrator

January 31, 2010: This latest Kesang P. Jigme film, Sem gi Jurwa, intimately portrays a tragic drama of a 17-year-old Lhazeen’s (Sonam Wangmo) search for her mother. The journey takes her to Thimphu where the greater part of the story begins to unfold.

The story goes back when Lhazeen’s parents, Lhasey (Tshering Phuntsho) and Seday (Pema Yangki), start their lives in Thimphu. Lhasey is posted as a teacher in Thimphu. New places bring new circumstances, new feelings, and new crossroads. As they struggle to live within and outside their lives, their relationship grows in complexity and depth and their marriage begins to crack. The couple painfully discovers each other as time goes by. Subtle changes of emotional temperature and the differences in the characters create a delicate relationship and largely regulate this domestic drama.

Lhasey lives within his own cocoon without any ambition to break out and make his family’s life comfortable and meaningful. He likes to moralize and always find faults in Seday. He is more worried that he would do things wrong than doing things right. He wants his family to live within his code and his principle of life.

Seday, though semi-literate is more open and adventurous. Slowly but surely she reaches a tipping point and the world outside the marriage lures her. She does not hesitate to make decisions and break out of her world. She also starts to break away from Lhasey’s code of principles and lives her own life.

And the inevitable happens. Lhasey and Seday seperates when Lhazeen is 6 years old. On the threshold of maturity, Lhazeen struggles to find a place within herself where she can make sense of her past and connect it to her future, a place within herself where all the stories assimilate and become one. Lhazeen who lived a good part of her teenage life with a single parent not only wants to know her mother’s story but believes that she must complete the story as it’s part of her identity (that’s why she takes the journey).

The film also explores the theme of divorce especially when a child is stranded in between. Lhazeen, in her search for her mother, says that coming to terms with the past is important, not in the sense to find out who is right or who is wrong, what is moral or immoral, but to shake off the yoke of the past. But the journey, as a metaphor, is not so much about physical journey but about a journey within and discovering oneself.

Pema Yangki lifts the film a notch up with a reliable performance. There are also popular actors like Karma Choden, Karma Choechung and Rinchen Namgyel in the supporting roles. The music is scored by Jigme Norbu and has six songs.

Sem gi Jurwa is the first production of Sangay Tenzin of Lhazeen Infotainment. The film will be screened at Mig Cinema hall in Phuentsholing from February 12.

the faraway girl

source: bhutanobserver

First look: The Far Away Girl

19 January 2010

Love knows no boundary. This is the theme of the next Bhutanese flick, The Far Away Girl, which will be screened at the Mig Cinema hall in Phuentsholing from January 20.

Directed by Sonam Yeshey, the film is about two people from two different countries, different cultural background, and different ways of living falling in love.

Rigsel is a villager in Bhutan. Priya from Kolkata in India comes to his village as a teacher. The two fall in love, and live the best time of their lives together until Priya returns to her country.

The story takes a turn when Rigsel, accompanied by his friend, leave for Kolkata in search of Priya. The duo is able to find Priya but get entangled in a mysterious murder case. However, in the end, all mysteries are solved and the lovers are united.

The film is a complete entertainment. Filled with songs and fight sequence, the film has some action stunts that have never been seen in Bhutanese films. In the last action scene, some 10 people come to hold the protagonist but he runs and jumps over them kicking the main villain. A stunt master and a few stunts men were hired from West Bengal, especially for the action scenes.

The music in the film is fresh. Modern Bhutanese tunes are mixed with familiar Indian tunes to give catchy tunes. There are six songs, including one Hindi and Dzongkha mixed song and one boedra song.

According to the script writer, Lobzang Dorji, through Rigsel’s life, the film portrays a typical village life in Bhutan. The film highlights some culture and tradition of the country. Priya is invited to join a Thrue celebration where there is an archery match amid traditional songs and dances.

The film shows subtle differences between India and Bhutan. It is also a tribute to Bhutan-India friendship, he said, adding that, through the film, they want to take entertainment to a new height.

More than half of the two hour-film has been shot in Kolkata and some part in Punakha and Phuentsholing. The film was shot in 60 days.

Debut actor and producer, Sonam Rinchen Tshering, plays the role of Rigsel and Choki Wangmo Tenzin, plays Priya. They are supported by Jalab Laki and Tshering Yuden. While most of the people on the set were first timers, some 15 Indian actors from West Bengal were also hired. The film was well received by the review board because the whole team was new.

A love story with drama, suspense, action, fun and adventure, The Far Away Girl is refreshing and not to be missed.

By Tandin Pem