A poster for "Snow Leopard," the closing film of the 5th Hainan Island International Film Festival, is seen on the festival's official website. /HIIFF
The final film by deceased Tibetan director Pema Tseden, "Snow Leopard," will serve as the closing film of the 5th Hainan Island International Film Festival (HIIFF), according to the festival’s official website. The film, the director's eighth Tibetan-language production, is also a contender in the main competition of this year’s fiction feature category. Pema Tseden died on May 8 this year due to a sudden illness, according to reports.
A file photo shows a winter view of Maduo County, Qinghai Province. /CFP
Delving into Pema Tseden's reflections on life in Xining, Qinghai Province, in 2020, the film unfolds against the backdrop of an endangered snow leopard responsible for the death of nine goats owned by a herder. It explores diverse perspectives and motivations surrounding the incident.
The question of whether to release the captured snow leopard held in a sheep pen becomes the focus of the film, where each character has their own convictions and choices to make. Moreover, things that seemed like reasonable demands become a trigger for intensifying conflicts among the different parties.
A photo taken on December 1, 2019 shows Pema Tseden attending the opening ceremony of the 2nd Hainan Island International Film Festival in China. /CFP
"Snow Leopard" was awarded the Grand Prix of the 36th Tokyo International Film Festival on November 1, 2023.
In 2019, Pema Tseden's film "Balloon" received the Golden Coconut Award for Best Film and Best Actress during the 2nd HIIFF. Now, as the screening of "Snow Leopard" closes this year's festival, the film not only celebrates its national debut in China but also stands as a heartfelt homage to director Pema Tseden.