The first Bhutanese movie was produced in 1999 and titled “Gasa Lamai Singye”. It was directed by Ugyen Wangdi and marked Bhutan’s entry into filmmaking. Prior to this first Bhutanese film, the country had no film industry and relied on foreign imports for cinematic entertainment. The release of Gasa Lamai Singye was therefore a historic milestone.
When was the first Bhutanese movie released?
The first Bhutanese movie, Gasa Lamai Singye, was released in 1999. More specifically, it was released on April 23, 1999 at the Royal Banquet Hall in Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. The film’s premiere was a highly anticipated event and was attended by members of the royal family, government officials, and local dignitaries.
What was the title of the first Bhutanese movie?
The title of the first Bhutanese movie was “Gasa Lamai Singye”. In English, this translates to “Drumbeat of the Celestial Mist”.
Who directed the first Bhutanese movie?
Gasa Lamai Singye was directed by Ugyen Wangdi. At the time, Ugyen Wangdi worked in Bhutan’s Ministry of Communications but had a strong interest in filmmaking. He wrote the script for Gasa Lamai Singye in addition to directing the movie. The release of the film marked Wangdi’s directorial debut.
What was the plot of the first Bhutanese movie?
Gasa Lamai Singye told the story of two brothers and their relationships with different women. The older brother is a monk who comes into conflict with the norms of monastic life when he develops an attraction to a village woman. Meanwhile, the younger brother falls for a visiting researcher who is cataloging Bhutan’s culture and folk tales.
The movie explores themes of desire, commitment, and the push and pull between tradition and modernity. The title refers to the drumbeat that is said to emanate from the mist surrounding a monastery, representing spirituality and duty. Ultimately both brothers must make choices about what path in life to follow.
What was the production process like for the first Bhutanese movie?
The production process for Gasa Lamai Singye was arduous for director Ugyen Wangdi and his small film crew. They faced a number of challenges:
- No film industry infrastructure – As the first feature film made in Bhutan, the crew had to build equipment, sets, and processes from scratch.
- Technological limitations – Basic filming gear had to be brought in from abroad.
- Inexperienced crew – With no prior film training, the director and crew learned on the job.
- Remote shooting locations – Scenes were shot in difficult, isolated regions of Bhutan.
Despite the challenges, Wangdi managed to finish shooting the film in 1998. The movie was edited in Delhi, India. The final cut ran for 105 minutes.
How did people react to the first Bhutanese movie?
Gasa Lamai Singye received an enthusiastic response in Bhutan upon its release. Many Bhutanese were excited to see their country and culture represented in a feature film for the first time. The movie premiered nationally on the Bhutan Broadcasting Service TV network on June 2, 1999.
Beyond the excitement of this cinematic first, some key reactions included:
- Pride at seeing Bhutanese landscapes, architecture, and traditions featured on screen.
- Appreciation for the movie’s exploration of social issues around tradition and modernity in Bhutan.
- Curiosity about the future of the nation’s film industry after this first step.
Gasa Lamai Singye gave people in Bhutan a glimpse of the country’s potential for film. It launched an ongoing film movement.
How did Gasa Lamai Singye impact Bhutan’s film industry?
The release of Gasa Lamai Singye had an enormous impact on kickstarting a vibrant film industry in Bhutan. Some key effects included:
- Establishing Bhutan’s first production company – The director founded Thunder Dragon Films after the first movie’s success.
- Inspiring more local filmmakers – Success of the first film motivated other Bhutanese creatives to try their hand at movies.
- Growing the industry – In the 2000s, an average of two films per year were produced as more filmmakers emerged.
- Building infrastructure – Investments were made into equipment, training programs, and studios to support more films.
- Finding an audience – Bhutanese people’s enthusiasm for local movies created a domestic market.
The 21st century has seen the industry blossom with multiple films releasing annually. Bhutanese film is now screened at major international festivals.
What major awards did the first Bhutanese movie win?
Gasa Lamai Singye performed well in major Indian regional film competitions. Some of the notable awards it won included:
| Award | Category | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Meri Awaz Suno Award | Best Film with a Social Message | 1999 |
| Chalachitra Prasad Award | Best Debut Film | 1999 |
| Arunachal Pradesh Government Award | Best Feature Film | 2000 |
Winning these major awards was an impressive achievement for a debut filmmaker and also generated wider interest in Bhutanese cinema.
What was the budget for making the first movie in Bhutan?
The total budget for producing Gasa Lamai Singye was approximately US$35,000. This was considered a very modest budget even by the standards of small regional Indian films at the time.
The main costs included:
- Equipment rental & transport – $10,000
- Raw film stock – $5,000
- Crew wages – $8,000
- Set materials – $3,000
- Post-production – $7,000
- Other expenses – $2,000
With technological improvements and more locally-available equipment, later Bhutanese films were made on slightly higher budgets, averaging around $50,000.
How was the first Bhutanese movie funded?
The primary source of funding for Gasa Lamai Singye came from the Bhutanese government. In the late 1990s, the Ministry of Communications allocated resources specifically for developing Bhutan’s first feature film.
Additional funding was provided by:
- Ugyen Wangdi’s personal savings – The director invested his own money into the pioneering project.
- Support from the India-Bhutan Foundation – An Indo-Bhutan organization provided a small supplementary grant.
- In-kind support – Some equipment and production facilities were donated in-kind.
Later films would be funded through a mix of government film commissions, private investors, and self-financing by directors.
What were some challenges faced by the director of the first Bhutanese movie?
Director Ugyen Wangdi faced numerous daunting challenges mounting the first feature film production in Bhutan:
- Inexperienced crew – He had to train local Bhutaness with no prior film experience.
- Remote locations – Shooting in isolated areas with no roads or power.
- Equipment shortages – A lack of proper cameras, lighting, and post gear.
- Natural obstacles – Weather delays and other interruptions caused by the mountain terrain.
- Societal acceptance – Having to overcome perceptions that film was not a proper profession.
- Limited funding – Constraints on time and budget.
Despite these challenges, Wangdi persevered and managed to complete the pioneering film. His tenacity established the foundation for Bhutan’s film industry.
How did the lead actors in the first movie get their roles?
The lead roles in Gasa Lamai Singye were played by Chhimi Yangzom (the village woman), Choki Wangmo (the researcher), and Pema Tshetrim (the monk). None of them were professional actors prior to taking on this film.
To cast his first movie, director Ugyen Wangdi used the following approaches:
- Spotted Chhimi Yangzom in a play and was drawn to her natural acting ability.
- Knew Choki Wangmo personally and approached her directly to join the cast.
- Held an open audition to find the male lead roles, selecting Pema Tshetrim.
Wangdi valued authentic portrayals by non-actors over professional acting experience. His casting choices helped make the film feel rooted in real Bhutanese society.
Were there any major controversies related to the first Bhutanese movie?
The first Bhutanese movie was not too controversial, especially compared to some later films that tackled political issues. However, there were some minor controversies when it first came out:
- Conservative voices felt the story’s themes of desire and modernity clashed with Bhutan’s traditional values.
- The lead actress Chhimi Yangzom received some disparaging remarks as a woman in a lead film role, which was uncommon at the time.
- Some felt the film presented an overly negative view of monastic life.
Overall though, Gasa Lamai Singye was quite well-received. Any controversies faded quickly as people became captivated by the emergence of Bhutanese cinema.
How did the first Bhutanese movie portray the country’s culture?
Gasa Lamai Singye took great care to showcase elements of traditional Bhutanese culture and scenery, transporting domestic audiences while introducing customs to outsiders. The film highlighted:
- Clothing like ghos and kiras – Traditional robes worn by lead characters.
- Architecture – Bhutan’s characteristic dzongs, temples, and buildings featured prominently.
- Language – Dialogue recorded in native Dzongkha with English subtitles.
- Music – Score blended traditional Bhutanese instrumentation with some modern touches.
- Religion – Buddhist themes and imagery, like prayer wheel usage and monastery settings.
Portraying Bhutanese culture so vividly helped make the film feel authentic and familiar to local audiences. It also preserved a visual record of traditions for future generations.
What impact did the first movie have on tourism in Bhutan?
The release of Bhutan’s first feature film generated increased global interest in the previously isolated Himalayan country. Some of the tourism impacts included:
- Boosted international awareness of Bhutan’s scenery and architecture, which featured heavily in the movie’s visuals.
- Built intrigue around Bhutan’s distinctive culture, which international audiences got a glimpse of on screen.
- Caused tour companies to add movie location visits to their Bhutan trip itineraries.
- Motivated cultural institutions like monasteries to open their doors wider to foreign visitors.
- Inspired travel writers to publish more guidebooks and articles on now film-famous Bhutan.
Bhutan’s government actually had to temper the pace of tourism growth in the 2000s to reduce disruption and preserve the environment. But the first movie certainly shone an initial spotlight on the nation.
How did the first Bhutanese movie portray gender roles and women?
For the era, Gasa Lamai Singye took a reasonably progressive view of gender roles, despite sticking to certain norms. Regarding women’s portrayal:
- A woman in the lead role was unconventional for 1999 Bhutan.
- However, lead female characters were not overly assertive and deferred to male choices.
- Women were shown pursuing education and careers, contrasting with staying home.
- Yet the female researcher character faced skepticism for not marrying.
- Flirtation and romance were depicted as mostly driven by men’s initiative.
So while sticking to dominant gender roles, the first Bhutanese movie opened some early cinematic space for women’s narratives in the deeply traditional kingdom.
Conclusion
The release of Gasa Lamai Singye in 1999 represents a historic milestone as Bhutan’s first feature film. Director Ugyen Wangdi overcame major obstacles to realize his vision of launching the nation’s film industry. The movie’s blend of culture, romance and social commentary found an eager domestic audience. Its success inspired what has become a vibrant Bhutanese cinema scene today. For erupting onto the screens with this pioneering work, Gasa Lamai Singye will always occupy a special place in Bhutan’s cultural history.