Presents Directed & Written by Khyentse Norbu

Presents

LOOKING FOR A LADY WITH FANGS AND A MOUSTACHE

Virtual Live Premiere on April 8, 2021 and Worldwide Watch Now @ Home Cinema Release on April 9, 2021

Directed & Written by Khyentse Norbu (The Cup, Travellers And Magicians,Vara A Blessing)

Produced by Max Dipesh Khatri Executive Produced by Olivia Harrison Cinematographer Ping Bin Lee (In the Mood For Love) Starring: Tsering Tashi Gyalthang, Tulku Kunzang, Orgen Tobgyal Rinpoche, Tenzin Kunsel, Tulku Ngawang Tenzin, Rabindra Singh Baniya

***Official Selection of the Morelia International Film Festival***

For More Information, Please Contact: [email protected] | [email protected] Falco Ink. 212-445-7100

Gitesh Pandaya [email protected] SYNOPSIS In our increasingly mechanized and automated world that frowns on superstition and mysticism, this story shows how vitally relevant our disappearing ancient wisdom and traditional beliefs still are. In particular, the film focuses on the age-old Himalayan respect for and celebration of feminine energy as the most supreme aspect of being. This energy is personified in tantric Buddhism by dakinis who may appear as mysterious living beings who give or take away our life force and guide or ruin our lives. While only realized adepts like the character of O.T. in this film, who is based on an exceptional living master, are today able to summon this vital energy through esoteric dakini practices, it so crucial to our volatile era that the times demand it be communicated to a wider audience.

That’s what this film tries to do through the eyes of Tenzin, a skeptical and ambitious young Tibetan entrepreneur who is caught between the modern and traditional worlds. Somewhat driven and obsessive, Tenzin is focused single-mindedly on creating Kathmandu’s best coffee shop. Though he disparages superstition, Tenzin is suddenly tormented by peculiar and recurring dreams and images that signal his imminent death. The audience will identify with both the character and the paranoid panic that can seize even the most hardened sceptics when faced with the reality of their own death.

Sages and ancient texts advise that only finding a special dakini can save Tenzin’s life. The character’s desperate search for the woman who now holds his life in her hands brings him face to face with his own neuroses and attachments and with the speed, frenzy, distraction and rational limitations of modern life.

This story is interwoven with sub-plots, including Tenzin’s best friend’s hidden love for a sparkling young Tibetan songstress with a secret life; the efforts of that songstress’ old father and Tenzin’s mother to preserve a traditional Tibetan song art on the verge of extinction; the frustrations of Tenzin’s colorful business partners as his obsession with imminent death distracts him from his work obligations, and more. Through these sub-plots, the film also depicts the often painful ways in which our personal fixations and preoccupations short-circuit genuine communication. And yet there is a warmth, tenderness, undertone of mystery, and subtle humor in all the characters and their interactions with which the audience will empathize.

SHORT SCRIPTED SYNOPSIS Amidst the bustling maze of life in present day Kathmandu, a worldly, young Tibetan man TENZIN brazenly enters an abandoned, sacred temple of the Goddess Kali declaring this to be the ideal place to house his new business venture. Having borrowed his mother’s life savings as funding for the venture Tenzin is fully immersed in his plans to create Nepal’s best cafe. But when Tenzin is struck by a dream like vision of a girl moving through a vast ocean of red flowers Tenzin’s friend JACHUNG fears it’s a sign of impending death. On the advice of a great sage a skeptical Tenzin must seek out a very special woman - a “dakini” who may have a moustache, fangs and a third eye.

Tenzin and Jachung practice their traditional lutes under the guidance of their venerable music teacher NAMLING. Jachung has a crush on Namling’s sparkling, young daughter KUNSEL whose dancing and singing is utterly mesmerizing. Tenzin becomes increasingly unsettled by his bizarre visionary experiences which start to affect his business planning. He throws a stylish party to generate buzz for the cafe’s upcoming grand opening. The party gets hijacked by an uninvited Jachung with a cool, young MONK who consults an ancient text on his iPad to interpret Tenzin’s strange dreams and visions. The red flower fields mean Tenzin’s life force is running out and death is imminent. Tenzin refocuses his determination to transform the ancient temple ruins into the talk of Kathmandu but the increasing intensity of the recurring visions with their threat of death loom over him. He begins to doubt what is real or not.

The cafe nears completion but the appearance of sacred triangular symbols and the shadow of a naked woman dancing that leaves red footprints on the walls freak Tenzin out. These omens mean Tenzin has only one week to live or someone close to him will suffer. Tenzin dismisses the threats but when Namling is suddenly hospitalized Tenzin really starts to panic. This smiling lady with fangs and a moustache now haunts him in his dreams at night and visions during the day. Breaking down in front of some friends, Tenzin realizes he needs help. The Monk forewarns death is certain so Tenzin must make the necessary preparations. The only way to prevent death is for Tenzin to procure something a dakini owns and treasures. He hands Tenzin a black string with six knots to count down his remaining days and urges his search remain totally secret.

The Monk sends Tenzin to the wrathful MASTER of the Left Hand Lineage (secret Buddhist wisdom lineage). His first visit only seems to incense the Master and Tenzin leaves more confused than before. The fit out of the coffee shop is complete and the opening VIP launch date is set. Yet Tenzin’s mind is now totally preoccupied with the peril of death’s door and the magical dakini that can save him. The knots on the black string count down. The Master begins to guide Tenzin in the secret way of the dakini. His passion for the cafe takes a back seat as the secret dakini teachings work their charms on his mind. After a series of failed encounters with potential dakinis, Tenzin returns to the Master in tears. Out of great compassion the Master gives Tenzin secret gestures, called “mudras”, that he can use to authenticate a real dakini. If she responds, he will know he has found her. The catch is he can only use it three times.

Hiding away, a cloaked Tenzin practices his special gestures. At the signing of the contract for the cafe Tenzin gets pulled away at the sight of a unique girl and attempts the secret mudra. She leaves with Tenzin in hot pursuit and eyeing the prize of her handbag. But when she vanishes in the shifting web of Kathmandu’s alley-ways Tenzin confronts the hard realization that only one knot now remains. He visits his mother in the countryside for what may be the last time. She reassures him her loan is meant as a gift. A humbled Tenzin accompanies his mother on his lute as she beautifully sings and dances to a timeless Tibetan song. Tenzin lovingly waves his mother farewell. He returns to the Master for final instructions and is shocked when the Master asks about Kunsel. The master chastises Tenzin’s ‘impure perception’ which is preventing his seeing the dakini. The Master is done and dismisses the ill-fated Tenzin.

Aimlessly riding his motorbike through the streets of Kathmandu a distraught Kunsel suddenly appears before Tenzin. She needs a lift to a special ceremony that will determine the fate of her life. He takes his chance with the secret mudra which Kunsel just dismisses as a tease. At midnight a hopeless Tenzin undoes the last knot on the string. Tossing it away he resigns to his fate under the black of night…

At the break of dawn, an elated Jachung awakes to find his best friend at his doorstep incredibly still alive! The two friends head straight to Kunsel’s wedding. The priest proclaims that in order to dispel powerful astrological obstacles and spirits, Kunsel will marry a dog. Jachung is relieved all is not lost for his love Kunsel.

Though his search for the dakini Tenzin has survived his death duel. With his life-force renewed he successfully launches the cafe. Tenzin encourages Jachung to go to Namling’s house and ask for Kunsel’s hand in marriage. To Tenzin’s utter amazement he is greeted by the secret mudra from Kunsel, something this very special lady has known for a thousand lifetimes.

LONG SCRIPTED SYNOPSIS Amidst the bustling maze of life in present day Kathmandu, TENZIN (a 30 year old, well-groomed Tibetan man) brazenly enters an abandoned, sacred temple of the Goddess Kali despite the great caution of his business associate RABINDRAR (30 years, Nepali man). Inside Tenzin finds amusement in the dusty artefacts of an ancient spiritual tradition that has all but vanished in his modern world. He dismisses Rabindra’s visible fear of having offended the Goddess declaring he’s found a far better place to house their new business venture.

Tenzin mindlessly strums his Tibetan lute while engrossed in his business plans to create Nepal’s best cafe. His friend JACHUNG (35 years, shabby looking Tibetan) strums alongside him scolding Tenzin for borrowing his mother’s life savings for his business venture. When Tenzin is struck by a dreamlike vision of a girl moving through a vast ocean of red flowers Jachung attests that Tenzin’s dream is surely a sign of death! They must heed the advice of a monk and seek out a very special woman - a “dakini'' who sometimes has a moustache, fangs and a third eye. A skeptical Tenzin reluctantly plays along. The friends visit a tea house where a young would-be dakini serves tea.

Tenzin and Jachung practice their lutes at the house of their music teacher NAMLING (elder dignified Tibetan man). A smitten Jachung dances with Namling’s daughter KUNSEL (mid-20s, sparkling) who’s singing is totally mesmerizing. As Tenzin plays he falls into another powerful hallucinatory trance. His distracted mind spoils the music lesson. Namling reminds Tenzin these lessons are a favor to Tenzin’s mother. An embarrassed Tenzin leaves without excusing himself.

Tenzin continues to search for the ultimate hipster cafe site with his stylish business partner DEV (40’s, Nepali). He becomes increasingly unsettled by his visionary experiences which start to affect his business planning. When he suffers a “waking” dream of his dead sister he receives a call from his concerned mother sensing something is plaguing her son. Tenzin reassures his mother that her investment is safe and his music lessons are proceeding well. Back at her father’s house Kunsel dresses in a chuba (traditional Tibetan women's dress) as Namling shares his concern over her astrological chart reading for her wedding. The astrologer has warned it is ‘too strong’ fueling Kunsel’s fears of becoming a widow. Having found his dream site, Tenzin throws a stylish party at his apartment to generate buzz for the upcoming grand opening. His excitement gets hijacked by an uninvited Jachung with a cool, young MONK (Oakley mirror sunglasses and Beats headphones). The Monk reads Tenzin’s strange dreams and visions. The red flower fields mean Tenzin’s life force is running out. Jachung demands to know how long his friend has to live. The Monk consults his iPad but Tenzin returns to the important business of hosting his party.

Tenzin’s “unique” site for the coffee shop looks like overgrown ruins to Rabindrar who declares he is pulling out of the partnership. With his family life savings on the line Tenzin questions if he is doing the right thing. Dev manages to bring Rabindrar back on as a partner. Now Tenzin finally has his chance to transform the ancient ruins into the talk of Kathmandu but the increasing intensity of the recurring visions with their threat of death loom over him. Jachung gets further instructions from the Monk on how his friend can stave off death. This will require Tenzin supplicating the young tea house girl with special offerings. The Monk warns Tenzin not to deny such acts as superstition. At their next music lesson an agitated Tenzin confides in Jachung he is seeing more strange visions and even hearing the sound of bells ringing. He starts to doubt what is real or not. Tenzin warns his friend that the absent Kunsel may have some secrets of her own.

The “Luwak” Cafe nears completion. Tenzin admires how elegant the ruins have become. Yet in the windows and on the walls Yantras (sacred triangular symbols) appear and the shadow of a naked woman dancing leaves red footprints that totally mystify Tenzin. Jachung reports to Tenzin that the mantras he has seen are an omen that Tenzin has only one week to live or someone close to him will suffer. Tenzin has had enough and tries his best to focus on preparing the cafe launch. But when Namling is suddenly hospitalized Tenzin really starts to panic. This smiling lady with fangs and a moustache now haunts him in his dreams at night and visions during the day. Breaking down in front of some friends, Tenzin realizes he needs help. The monk explains Tenzin has lost his “Lha”. Death is sure to find him in five days and so he must make the necessary preparations. Consulting a sacred, ancient text the monk declares Tenzin must find this very special woman - a real “dakini '' to ward off these other women who are chasing him! He must then get something this dakini owns and treasures. Kathmandu is the land of dakinis but even the Monk is unsure how Tenzin should go about this. He gives Tenzin a black string with six knots to count down the days he has left and warns he must keep his quest to find this great lady secret.

The Monk sends Tenzin to the wrathful MASTER of the Left Hand Lineage (secret Buddhist wisdom lineage). His first visit only seems to incense the Master and Tenzin leaves more confused than before. Tenzin consults a doctor but the results of his x-ray show nothing. The fit out of the coffee shop is complete and the opening launch is set with a large international guest list. Yet Tenzin’s mind is now totally preoccupied with the threat of imminent death and the magical dakini that can save him. The knots on the black string count down. Tenzin returns to supplicate the Master who begins to guide Tenzin in the secret way of the dakini. But the profound teaching confounds Tenzin. Real dakinis are earth, water, fire, wind and sky and not sexy women. It's a riddle that Tenzin commits to solve. His passion for the coffee shop takes a back seat to his quest. The dakini teachings work their charms on his mind. He visits the ailing Namling in hospital revealing Jachung’s affection for Kunsel hinting that a marriage could provide security for her.

The Master instructs Tenzin further on how to solicit the special dakini - the supreme teacher. He challenges Tenzin to drop his intellect and learn to see through feelings, not thinking. The secret instructions magically transform the initiate Tenzin. In order to get something from the dakinis the Master advises to offer them gifts, harnessing all his skills like singing to the dakinis. Most of all he must go beyond inhibition to the cause of distrust with the dakinis. An undercover Tenzin feebly approaches the young tea lady. Another stalled attempt sees him shy away from a possible dakini doing laundry. And during a third unsuccessful attempt in the market a panicked Tenzin is recognized by a friend. He returns to the Master in tears. Out of great compassion the Master gives Tenzin secret gestures (called “mudra”) that he can use to authenticate the real dakini. If she responds, he will know he has found her. The catch is he can only use it three times.

Hiding away, a cloaked Tenzin practices his special gestures. Only two knots remain on his black string meaning two days left to find the dakini. At the signing of the contract for the cafe Tenzin catches a glimpse of a unique girl. He musters all his courage and gives her the secret mudra. Smiling, she leaves with Tenzin in hot pursuit, all eyes on her handbag but in the shifting web of Kathmandu alleys and streets Tenzin loses track of this possible dakini.

Tenzin confronts the hard realization that only one knot now remains. He visits his mother in the countryside for what may be the last time. She reassures him her loan is meant as a gift. A humbled Tenzin accompanies his mother on his dramyen as she beautifully sings and dances to a timeless Tibetan song. She gives him a gift of sharpalay, a woven fabric. Deeply touched, Tenzin lovingly waves his mother farewell. He returns to the Master for final instructions but is shocked when the Master asks about Kunsel. The master chastises Tenzin’s ‘impure perception’ which prevents his seeing the great dakini. The Master is done and dismisses the ill-fated Tenzin.

Riding his motorcycle aimlessly through the streets a distraught Kunsel suddenly appears behind Tenzin in a pre-wedding dress. She desperately needs a lift to a special ceremony that will determine the fate of her life. Together they take the long road to the Panauti Temple. When he drops her off, he tries the secret mudra. To his great disappointment she waves him away as if teasing her. Back in the streets of Panauti, a hopeless Tenzin suddenly spots the tea girl with her little daughter. Tenzin carefully tracks them and moves in to strike, stealing her handbag but all it contains is a teddy bear. It's midnight and Tenzin undoes the very last knot on the string. Tossing it away he sets off on his long death march into the black of night.…

At dawn break an elated Jachung finds his best friend at his doorstep incredibly still alive! Tenzin reveals that Kunsel is getting married today. The two friends head straight to the large wedding gathering. The priest proclaims that in order to dispel powerful astrological obstacles and spirits, Kunsel will marry a dog. Jachung takes heart and all is not lost for his love Kunsel.

Tenzin has been reborn, transformed with the wisdom the real dakini brings. He has survived his death duel and now re-engages joyfully with his partners on the opening launch of the Luwak Cafe. He serves up their best brew for the Monk who is delighted to see Tenzin has made it through his quest. Tenzin and Jachung have some important loose ends to take care of. Together the two friends return to the Tea Vendor and covertly reunite the bag and teddy bear with the young girl. With his life-force renewed, Tenzin encourages Jachung to go to Namling’s house and ask for Kunsel’s hand in marriage. To Tenzin’s utter amazement he is greeted by the secret mudra from Kunsel, something this very special lady has known for a thousand lifetimes.

DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT In this modern, scientific world – a world on the verge of creating artificial intelligence, and a world that disparages anything not amenable to reason – I try in this film to explore some of the last genuine residues of Tibetan mysticism. Even among Tibetans themselves, their traditional beliefs and ways of behaving and looking at the world are increasingly rare and today carry little if any weight. And yet, I believe this ancient wisdom, which reflects the Buddhist view of reality, has something vital to offer our modern world. Especially, I intend this film to express the deep respect for feminine energy embodied in that wisdom, and to portray in a contemporary setting both the transformative power of this energy and some of the ways it has traditionally been evoked.

Because it brings together so dramatically these modern and ancient worlds, I felt Nepal to be an ideal setting for this film. Besides the mountains and trekking for which it is popularly known, Nepal is a very spiritual and magical place, and I want to capture that quality both through the eyes of local inhabitants and in the way the film is shot.

For example, I will give the audience plenty of time for contemplation, so images may not move fast and may even stand still for a period. As well, I want to catch the magical qualities of life through the eyes of a character who is really panicked, which we’ll do by using hand-held cameras. It’s precisely because this film will evoke contemplation that the Director of Photography will be Mark Lee Ping Bing, for whose sensitivity, contemplative style, and amazing capacity to capture images I have always had the highest respect.

I intend to use only non-professional actors, not only because – unlike in the west – there are few trained actors in Nepal, but also because the characters I am trying to portray have to be really genuine. For example, one of the characters will be portrayed by an actual highly respected spiritual master whose qualities and demeanor a hundred thousand trained actors could not fathom let alone convey.

Sadly, these days, we see everything from fashion and consumer goods to storytelling, books and films increasingly produced according to set formulae that are proven to “sell the product.” Though few films today escape the enormous influence of the Hollywood and Bollywood formulae, I want to explore in this film a distinctive Himalayan way of expression and storytelling that is true to this region’s culture, tradition and wisdom.

In such ways, and through its atmosphere and techniques like those described in the next section, I hope this film will transport audiences to a profound, mystical, and yet very real and accessible dimension of life with which our modern world is sadly and rapidly losing touch. - Khyentse Norbu

CAPTURING THE ESSENCE OF THE LADY In our increasingly mechanized and automated world that frowns on superstition and mysticism, this story shows how vitally relevant our disappearing ancient wisdom and traditional beliefs still are. In particular, the film focuses on the age-old Himalayan respect for and celebration of feminine energy as the most supreme aspect of being. This energy is personified in tantric Buddhism by dakinis who may appear as mysterious living beings who give or take away our life force and guide or ruin our lives. While only realized adepts like the character of the Master of the Left Hand Lineage in this film, who is based on an exceptional living master, are today able to summon this vital energy through esoteric dakini practices, it so crucial to our volatile era that the times demand it be communicated to a wider audience.

That’s what this film tries to do through the eyes of Tenzin, a skeptical and ambitious, young Tibetan entrepreneur who is caught between the modern and traditional worlds. Somewhat driven and obsessive, Tenzin is focused single-mindedly on creating Kathmandu’s best coffee shop. Though he disparages superstition, Tenzin is suddenly tormented by peculiar and recurring dreams and images that signal his imminent death. The audience will identify with both the character and the paranoid panic that can seize even the most hardened sceptics when faced with the reality of their own death.

This story is interwoven with sub-plots, including Tenzin’s best friend’s hidden love for a sparkling young Tibetan songstress with a secret life; the efforts of that songstress’ old father and Tenzin’s mother to preserve a traditional Tibetan song art on the verge of extinction; the frustrations of Tenzin’s colorful business partners as his obsession with imminent death distracts him from his work obligations, and more. Through these subplots, the film also depicts the often painful ways in which our personal fixations and preoccupations short-circuit genuine communication. And yet there is a warmth, tenderness, undertone of mystery and subtle humor in all the characters and their interactions with which the audience is sure to empathize.

FILMMAKER BIOS

KHYENTSE NORBU | Director

Born in 1961 in Bhutan, Khyentse Norbu has written and directed several award-winning feature films, receiving accolades and honors at numerous prestigious international film festivals.

His first film The Cup (1999) became an international sensation after its premiere screening at the Cannes Film Festival’s prestigious Director’s Fortnight. It went on to win critical acclaim and official selections at major festivals worldwide, including Sundance, Hong Kong, London and Moscow. It won awards at four international festivals, including an International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) award at Busan and an audience award at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Norbu’s second film, Travellers & Magicians (2003), was the first full-length feature film shot in the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan. It premiered at the Venice International Film Festival and went on to the Toronto, Busan, Golden Horse (Taipei), Sao Paulo, London, Sydney, Moscow and other international film festivals, winning three awards.

His third feature film Vara: A Blessing (2013), based on a short story by Bengali author Sunil Gangopadhyay and filmed in Sri Lanka, attracted top international collaborators including award- winning cinematographer Bradford Young and acclaimed editor William Chang and starred Indian ingenue, Shahana Goswami.

Vara premiered as the Opening Film at the Busan International Film Festival and went on to screen at several film festivals world-wide including the BFI London Film Festival, the Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival, and the Tribeca International Film Festival, where it had its North American Premiere and won the Best Feature Film award at the Tribeca Online Film Festival.

Hema Hema: Sing Me a Song While I Wait (2016), the director's fourth feature film, is probably his most personal to date. Shot in remote parts of Bhutan on a very low budget, the film premiered at the Locarno Film Festival and was screened at the Toronto, Busan, Singapore, and Malaysian International Film Festivals, and at the London BFI, JIO Mama (Mumbai), Osaka Asian, and Taipei Golden Horse Film Festivals.

The film won the audience choice award at the 2016 Golden Global Awards at the Malaysian International Film Festival and ‘Honorable Mention’ at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival Platforms Prize.

Known in the Buddhist world as Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, Norbu brings to his films a profound and subtle mastery and understanding of Buddhist philosophy and practice. He is an internationally renowned Buddhist teacher, best-selling author of several books, founder of several major philanthropic organizations, and head of monasteries and institutes of Buddhist Studies in Tibet, India and Bhutan.

MARK LEE PING-BING | Cinematographer

Mark Lee Ping-Bing, born 8 August 1954, is a Taiwanese cinematographer, photographer and author with over 70 films and 21 international awards to his credit including two Glory Of The Country Awards from the Government Information Office of Taiwan and the president of Taiwan’s Light Of The Cinema Award. Lee began his film career in 1977 and in 1985 he started his prolific collaboration with Taiwanese filmmaker Hou Hsiao-hsien. Known best for his use of natural lighting utilizing real film and graceful cam-era movement, Lee received the Grand Technical Prize at the Cannes Film Festival in 2000 for In the Mood for Love. A member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Lee was honored with nominations by the American Society of Cinematographers for its 2014 First Annual Spotlight Award for Best Cinematography for his work on the 2012 film Renoir and by the French Academy of Cinema Arts for a Cesar Award for Best Cinematography in 2014 also for the film Renoir.

OLIVIA HARRISON | Executive Producer Olivia Harrison is a Mexican-American film producer, philanthropist and the widow of musician George Harrison of The Beatles. Olivia produced the Grammy award winning film of the 2002 Concert For George which she organized to benefit the Material World Foundation in memory of George. Olivia also received an Emmy for Outstanding Nonfiction Special from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in 2012 for her role as producer on the Martin Scorsese directed documentary: George Harrison: Living in the Material World. She curated books to accompany both these films, and in 2017 compiled a revised edition of George's 1980 autobiography: I, Me, Mine.

ABOUT SHATKON ARTS Shatkon Arts was established in 2006 with the primary objective of developing, fostering and supporting a culture of independent theatre and film in Nepal’s emerging arts industry. Established by dedicated theatre artists and film enthusiasts, Shatkon Arts also aims to showcase Nepalese culture and arts in the international arena and thereby to expand their scope and influence. In particular, Shatkon Arts aspires to provide a robust and supportive platform for young, creative Nepalese minds to explore, develop and make their mark in Nepal’s art and culture world.

In its initial years Shatkon Arts produced several plays that were performed in various national and international theatre festivals, including performances were at the Aarohan National Theatre Festival (2007), Kathmandu International Theatre Festival (2008), Patumthani International Theatre Festival, Thailand (2009), and Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Scotland (2009).

In 2014, Shatkon Arts produced Nepal’s multiple award-winning film Talakjung vs Tulke that was selected as the Nepalese entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 88th Academy Awards. Its latest production Jatra (2016) also won multiple awards, including Nepal’s best film, best director and best actor in the 2017 national critics’ awards.

Shatkon Arts is now home to Nepal’s leading producers and is particularly committed to nurturing, supporting and training young talent; giving promising young Nepalese film makers, cameramen, sound, lighting and other technicians the opportunity to work alongside highly qualified professionals in large productions; and otherwise building a strong, viable and creative film industry in Nepal.

About Abramorama Abramorama is the preeminent global theatrical distribution and rights management partner for documentary and music films and is recognized for the consistent high quality of its work on award winning features. An innovator in the focused, personalized form of film marketing, promotion, distribution and live, event and digital cinema, Abramorama provides invaluable alternatives to filmmakers while continuing to trail-blaze exciting new pathways to defined audiences.

Over the course of 20 years, Abramorama has successfully distributed and marketed hundreds of films, including Ron Howard’s Grammy Award®-winning The Beatles: Eight Days A Week – The Touring Years; Stanley Nelson’s Miles Davis: Birth of The Cool; Atlantic Records and Melanie Martinez’ K-12; John McDermott’s Jimi Hendrix: Electric Church; Amir Bar-Lev's Long Strange Trip – The Untold Story of the Grateful Dead; Tabbert Fiiller’s The Public Image Is Rotten; Danny Clinch and Pearl Jam’s Let’s Play Two; Corbett Redford and Green Day’s Turn It Around: The Story of East Bay Punk; John Scheinfeld’s Chasing Trane – The John Coltrane Documentary; Roberta Grossman and Nancy Spielberg’s Who Will Write Our History; Brett Bern's BANG! The Bert Berns Story; Brett Morgen and National Geographic’s seminal Jane; Asif Kapadia’s Senna; Neil Young’s vast catalog of Bernard Shakey Productions; Cameron Crowe’s Pearl Jam Twenty; Sacha Gervasi’s Spirit Award-winning Anvil! The Story of Anvil; Banksy’s Academy Award® nominated & Spirit Award-winning Exit Through the Gift Shop; Laurie Anderson’s New York Times critics’ pick, Heart of a Dog; Showtime’s National Board of Review Winner Listen to Me Marlon; Academy Award®-nominee and IDA Best Documentary Winner The Look of Silence; and the episodic multi-platform series Deconstructing The Beatles. Abramorama is a founding partner of The Seventh Art Stand program, an act of cinematic solidarity against Islamophobia, that ran in more than 50 theaters across the United States in May of 2017. Abramorama launched a conscious films imprint, Mangurama, in 2018 alongside its music-centric film fund focused on the global release of iconic music documentaries. In January of 2019 the company launched the live multicast streaming enterprise ABCinemaNOW.com with the global live introduction, interstitial programming, and Q&A from Paris, France for the 55-country release of Who Will Write Our History. In 2020 Abramorama Selects was launched providing a gateway for select films across global VOD platforms. For more information visit abramorama.com.

END CREDITS

A Shatkon Arts Production In Association with

Kun Kum Production Philosojoy Production

Presents

Tsering Tashi Gyalthang Tulku Kungzang Ngawang Tenzin Tenzin Kunsel In

LOOKING FOR A LADY WITH FANGS AND A MOUSTACHE

Nepal the land of "Mount Everest", the abode of the sacred mother where an infant girl is still revered above all. Reverence for the sacred feminine may be waning, but the dakinis still grace the streets of Kathmandu.

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Written and Directed by Khyentse Norbu

Produced by Max Dipesh Khatri

Director of Photography Mark Lee Ping Bing

Editor Yu Tao

Supervising Sound Editors Tu Duu-Chih, Wu Shu-Yao

Executive Producers Zhuangzhuang Tian Olivia Harrison Ram Raju Aona Liu Kate McCreery

Producer Rabindra Singh Baniya

Production Designer Emily Avery Yoshiko Crow Music by Mars Radio Make-up Maya Hardinge Location Sound Mixer Chen Yu-Chieh

1st Assistant Director Fernanda Rivero Costume Designer Jamyang Choden

Cast

Unique Yellow Dress Girl Barkha Rai Young Yeti Chokho Girl Chhanya Pradhan Tenzin’s Sister Dechen Dolkar Dev Divya Dev Red Face Motorcycle Woman Jasmi Gurung Karma Karma Shakya Tenzin’s Mother Kelsang Chukie Tethong Music Teacher Loten Namling Make-up Artist Maya Hardinge Young Tea Vendor Nistha Sinnya Flower Eating Woman Olena Skoryk Master of Left Hand Lineage Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche Parikshit Parikshit B. Rana Fashion Photographer Penelope Tree Rabindra Rabindra Singh Baniya Astrologer Rangdrol Namdrol Sangpo Tea Vendor Mother Sarada Giri Hippy Café Server Serena Edwards Doctor Shreeti Pradhan Kunsel Tenzin Kunsel Tenzin Tsering Tashi Gyalthang Jachung Tulku Kunzang Monk Tulku Ngawang Tenzin Singer at Café Luwaks Poo Yunggiema

“A Little Rain" Written by Kathleen Brennan and Tom Waits Published by Jalma Music (ASCAP) Performed by Tom Waits Courtesy of Island Records (US) Under licence from Universal Music Operations Ltd.

"Cucurrucucú paloma" Written by Tomás Méndez. Published by Promotora Hispano Americana de Música,S.A.de C.V. (PHAM) Performed by Ericka Grovas and Miguel Ignacio Peña. Arranged by Miguel Ignacio peña. Production Fernanda Rivero and Ángel Sebastián Cortés.

“Kutu Ma Kutu Supari Dana” Lyrics: Rajan Raj Shiwakoti Music: Rajan Raj Shiwakoti Vocals: Rajan Raj Shiwakoti/Melina Rai/ Rajan Ishan © Highlights Nepal Pvt. Ltd. Used By Permission. All Rights Reserved.