Tradition and modernity collide on the Tibetan Plateau

Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Ruby Yang

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

My research for a video project about sustainability on the Tibetan Plateau led me to the Norlha workshop in the village of Ritoma. To me, Ritoma represented an intriguing dichotomy: nomads were being economically empowered through being educated and learning new skills, and yet, in giving up herding, they were also fighting to preserve their nomadic culture and traditions. As a filmmaker, I felt that documentary was the perfect tool to capture Ritoma’s ongoing transition, which would be an important part of the village’s collective memory and history.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

Ritoma is a village in transition: it struggles between the traditions of the past and the beckoning of the future. Basketball an exciting metaphor of Ritoma’s modernization.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

I try to address universal themes like identity, discrimination, empowerment of women, disabilities in all my documentaries.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

Very positive feedback, especially from the Tibetan community.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

So far, not yet.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

More people will watch the film.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

Film festival directors, distributors.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

Seeing how some of Tibetans are living their lives.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

The images of Tibetans are usually being romanticized.

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

Ruby Yang now heads the Hong Kong Documentary Initiative at the University of Hong Kong, which aims to nurture the next generation of documentary filmmakers in the region.

Interview: March 2019

We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

Ritoma

Tradition and modernity collide on the Tibetan Plateau

Length: 1:00

Director: Ruby Yang

Producer: Ruby Yang

Writer: Ruby Yang

About the writer, director and producer:

RUBY YANG is an Academy Award winner for the Documentary Short, The Blood of Yingzhou District (2006). She is also known for directing the Oscar-nominated documentary short The Warriors of Qiugang (2010) and the award-winning feature documentary My Voice, My Life (2014).

Key cast: Jampa Dhundup, Dechen Yeshi, Willard (Bill) Johnson, Norlha Men’s Team, Norlha Women’s Team

Looking for: film festival directors, buyers, journalists

Facebook: Ritoma

Twitter: @ritomamovie

Instagram: @ritomamovie

Website: ritomamovie.com

Other: IMDB

Made in association with: Chang Ai Media Project Ltd

Funders: Self-funded, with additional support from Ben Ng, Lee Hysan Foundation

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Cinequest - March 10, 11, 12, 15