Film Review: Richard Gere is My Hero

Guest Film Review by Tashi Tenzin

Richard Gere is My Hero

Duration: 90 mins
Genre: Romantic Comedy/Tibetan with English Subtitle
Script & Direction: T. Wangchuk and T.Dorjee

Lead actors: Sonam Tsering (a lead actor from ‘Phun Anu Thanu’), Tenzin Younden, Dechen Yangzom (a lead actress in ‘Phun Anu Thanu’, Tenzin Choedon

This is a film about four friends in Dharamsala, the exile seat of Tibetans, their dreams and aspirations. Nyima, the lead character of the film is a die hard fan of the Hollywood icon, Richard Gere and wanted to follow his footsteps to do something meaningful for his country, Tibet. The film can safely be classified under romantic comedy. Suitable doses of Exile politics adds new layer to the film.

One of the most important attempts made by the director duo is the film’s richness in characterisation. I cannot stop laughing until my stomach starts hurting when I see some of the funniest characters like Love Guru, Acha BBC, Phuntsok Drunkard and Cho Dargay. I totally agree Tenzin Tsundue, Tibetan writer and activist who maintained that the characters of the film can be compared to those of the best novels available. Every character fits in their respective shoes and more importantly pushes the story forward. Every actor did a great job especially Tenzin Younden who performs the role of the lead character, Nyima or Richard.

The pace of the story is relentless and smooth. It offers every flavour to make a particular film hit. I felt that the conventional rule of Aristotle in the art of story telling is followed but in a very different way due to which the film is unique in its own way. Unlike their earlier film, Phun Anu Thanu, where it offers happy ending, here it is in the other way round where the principal character does not fulfill his dreams and aspirations in the end.

Another prominent achievement of the film is its cinematic camera work. The filmmaker though did not use any of the dolly or crane, yet every shot is well composed where the rule of third is followed effectively. It was shot on a digital camera yet it very much contributes to the over all celluloid look of the film. Considering that the filmmaker used location sound for dialogues, they are good enough and treated well in the post.

To sum up, the film will be remembered for its sheer entertainment value, good direction, excellent artiste performances and nice camera work among the many. Watch this film, you’ll love it. I wish the director duo all the best in their future endeavor. Long live Tibetan films and filmmakers. Richard Gere is My Hero is now available online, www.tibetanfilms.com.

Making Richard Gere Is My Hero Film Trailer

The writer, Tashi Tenzin is a former school teacher at HIMS, Kathmandu, Nepal.

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