Last film of late Pema Tseden ‘Snow Leopard’ wins Tokyo Grand Prix

By Tenzin Nyidon 

DHARAMSHALA, Nov 2: The 36th Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) concluded on November 1, 2023, with a poignant and bittersweet note as the late Tibetan filmmaker, Pema Tseden, posthumously received the prestigious Tokyo Grand Prix for his final work, “Snow Leopard.” 

The film “Snow Leopard,” which premiered out of competition at the 36th Venice Film Festival and later screened at the Toronto International Film Festival, has also received three nominations for the prestigious Asia Pacific Awards. The film revolves around a father and his son about whether they should kill the snow leopard that has descended from the mountains into their village and killed nine sheep. “In a mountain village where white leopards live, the film explores the symbiosis of humans and animals through the fantastical interaction of a young Tibetan monk and a leopard,” the film’s full synopsis read. 

“Snow Leopard” is one of two films that the late Tibetan filmmaker, Pema Tseden, had been working on at the time of his untimely death in May in Lhasa at the age of 53. While his passing was reported by various Chinese media outlets, no specific cause of death was provided.

Late Pema Tseden was widely regarded as a unique storyteller who provided the audience with an intimate glimpse into the lives of Tibetans and contemporary Tibet through his films in the Tibetan language. Born into a nomadic family in Eastern Tibet’s Amdo in December 1969, his directorial debut, “The Silent Holy Stone,” marked the beginning of a remarkable career in cinema. The film was released in 2005, it earned Pema Tseden the Best Director award in the Asian New Talent category and the Best Directorial Debut award at China’s prestigious Golden Rooster Awards.

Other credits included, “The Search,” released in 2009 was awarded the Special Jury Prize at the Shanghai International Film Festival. “Old Dog,” released in 2011 was awarded the Grand Prize at Tokyo Filmex. 

In 2014, he won the Best Cinematography award at the Shanghai International Film Festival for his work on “The Sacred Arrow.” His films “Tharlo” (2015), “Jinpa” (2018), and “Balloon” (2019) all premiered at the prestigious Venice Film Festival, a significant achievement that reflected the international recognition and acclaim he received.