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.