The Silent Holy Stones. 2005. China. Written and directed by Pema Tseden. 35mm. In Tibetan, Chinese; English subtitles. 102 min.
The innocence of childhood and the purity of monastic life in Tibet meet television in the endearing, sensitive debut feature of Pema Tseden (1969–2023), in which children and adults alike give in to the allure of modern entertainment while keeping tradition and religious practice alive. Hailing from Amdo, Tibet, Pema Tseden became the first Tibetan to study at the Beijing Film Academy. His body of work put the sights and sounds of his home region on screen, often reflecting on its changing cultural and social landscape. A prolific writer who had published short stories in both Tibetan and Chinese, he proved to be as sophisticated an image-maker as he was a shrewd storyteller. Despite the scrutiny he faced while working within the Chinese filmmaking system, Pema Tseden managed to use the fiction form to tell the truth about Tibetan life.
Pema Tseden passed away in May 2023 at the age of 53, with films still in development. He visited MoMA on multiple occasions to share his works and participate in discussions. The 35mm print of this film in MoMA’s collection was acquired in 2022 as a gift from the director. This screening pays tribute to the beloved filmmaker.