The Sacred Arrow + The Silent Manistone

Transplanting the traditional archery competition into an inspirational sports drama, Pema Tseden presents a new generation of Tibetans at a crossroads between embracing new technologies and preserving old customs. Taking the friendly competition between two villages as a personal rivalry, a self-obsessed archer must learn to win/lose the Sacred Arrow with grace – and find his passage into true manhood. Stunning visual aesthetic coupled with Ricky Ho’s rousing score, this morality tale stretches beyond a physical dimension to examine Tibetan’s diverging views on honour, faith and cultural heritage. Screening with The Silent Manistone.

Shanghai International Film Festival: Best Cinematography

The Silent Manistone
2002, Tibetan, 30mins, DCP

A deceptively simple but charming tale of a young monk’s life in two days, Pema Tseden’s first short film offers early glimpses at his exquisitely tranquil and deeply humanistic style. The Silent Manistone was later developed into his first feature, The Silent Holy Stones. Screening with The Sacred Arrow.

20/8 (Sun): Guest filmmakers Jigme Trinley and Dukar Tserang will attend the screening