2004 Hot Docs Canadian Documentary Festival

06.19 - Posted by Editor

Festival wrap-up by Allan Tong

This year’s Hot Docs Film Festival in Toronto coincided with the visit of the Dalai Lama. As Tibet's spiritual leader filled football stadiums and hosted heads of state, his face was seen on movie screens across the city. The most controversial – and important – film at Hot Docs was undoubtedly "What Remains of Us," directed by François Prévost and Hugo Latulippe.

Eight years in the making, "What Remains of Us" follows three Canadian filmmakers (two Quebecois and one Tibetan) secretly showing a videotaped message from the exiled Dalai Lama to his people in Tibet. The occupying Chinese government strictly forbid images and text of the holy man from reaching the public. Fearing that a Chinese official would photograph the Tibetans who appear in the film, the producers at the National Film Board searched the two sold-out audiences for cameras.

The NFB has good reason to be paranoid. Since 1950, the Chinese government has systematically imprisoned, tortured and slaughtered Tibetans, forcing countless families to scatter across the globe. Ironically, their migration has only popularized Buddhism and the Dalai Lama. Aside from a limited run in Toronto and a special invitation to Cannes, "What Remains of Us" may see only a handful of screenings in North America. If this film plays in your town, go see it.

"What Remains of Us" is a moving film from start to end. It chronicles a dying nation, colonized by Chinese colonialists who steal Tibet's natural resources and oppress its people. It is touching to see an entire family huddled around a small DV monitor to catch a rare glimpse of their leader. Younger Tibetans have never seen the Dalai Lama's face and are startled. Many others cry. Toronto audiences at both screenings rewarded the filmmakers with rare standing ovations.

While the Dalai Lama urges his people to remain strong, the outlook of the narrator (Khalsang Dolma, herself Tibetan) is grim. She sees little future for her people, and questions the value of non-violent resistance in the face of brutality. This is political filmmaking at its best.

A little lighter was "Words of My Perfect Teacher." Canadian director Lesley Ann Patten plus two other Buddhist students follow their renowned teacher, Daongsar Khyentse Norbu, across the world in a quest for wisdom. Norbu is charming but mischievous, eloquent yet evasive. Why does he lead his students to a World Cup match in Germany? Why is he so distant among the Buddhist temples of Bhutan?

Norbu shines as the enigmatic center of this documentary. He is direct when he wants to be, but prefers to teach his students through action rather than words. It's an approach that director Patten should have employed, since her narration is sometimes obtrusive.

Though not selected by Hot Docs, "Refuge" played during the documentary festival at Toronto's National Film Board. John Halpern's "Refuge" is essentially an F.A.Q. about the rise of Budhhism in America. Again, the voice-over doesn't enhance the film, but the interviews with the Dalai Lama as well as celebrity Buddhists (Martin Scorsese, Oliver Stone, Phillip Glass) are surprising and insightful. The Dalai Lama, for instance, counsels Westerners to stick with their own religion instead of adopting Buddhism, fearing that conversions could result in "confusion."