Bhutanese filmmaker Dechen Roder’s “I, The Song” has been acquired by Fidalgo Film Distribution for Norway.
The film had its world premiere at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, where the claim was made, and had its Asian premiere at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Goa. In the film, to save his job and reputation, a school teacher travels south to Bhutan in search of his doppelganger, but when he becomes involved in his appearance life, he realizes that he may be the only one who can solve the disappearance of his doppelganger as well as recover a stolen sacred song.
The cast includes Tandin Bidha, Jimmie Wangyal Tshering, Tshering Dorji, Sonam Lhamo and Dorji Wangdi. The film was produced by Roder for Dakinny Productions (Bhutan) and Johann Chapelan for Girle Productions (France).
The film is co-produced by Fernanda Renno, Fidalgo Films (Norway), Stefano Centini, Volos Films (Taiwan, Italy), Paolo Maria Spina, Revolver (Italy), Michael Barre, Actarus Productions (France), Michael Gauthier & Mathilde Solimeo Click Download to save Follow Back Films – Samuh (Bhutan) mp3 youtube com
“I don’t know if it’s Bhutanese, or growing up with stories of intuition and feeling, and magical forces and surrealism, but I think that’s what guides me in my filmmaking, and that’s what strengthens me, and the film. – the signs and good energy,” said Roder.
“It was difficult to make the film, because raising the money was very difficult and took a long time. Many friends and family who read the script also suggested – add some more mountain scenes in the film, some more scenes of “landscape”, they say this is what people expect from films from Bhutan. I, Song is mostly shot in the south of Bhutan (under the mountains), so it defies the common preconception of how “view” of Bhutan. But I am determined not to compromise the story and theme of this film, I want to show Bhutan as I know it, as I feel and live it, with a different “beauty” is that I didn’t change the script and feel. we could still find support,” added Roder.
Chapelan said: “I am very proud to bring this story to life because it deals with prominent issues across Asia (and the world), and is especially relevant to the new wave of post-#MeToo awareness about consent. , toxic and violent masculinity and manipulative behavior in the workplace. It is very important to raise awareness from Asian and not only Western authors, artists and filmmakers in Asian film it is more and more accessible to address women’s rights issues, and we are happy to be a part of it.
“Beyond women’s rights, the film also deals with issues of identity, globalization, and diversity in the digital age. It is a story that resonates with unconscious issues such as loss of identity, sacredness, uniqueness, and the blending of cultures into normative modernity. Personally in making this film, I was mostly guided by Pankaj Mishra’s thinking and analysis of modern history, nationalism and patriarchy in the “global south”. We are now on the brink of a new era of global violence, war, misogyny and nationalism everywhere in the world. I believe it is our stake and responsibility to respond and open a discussion about this by making smart, smart and engaging movies like ‘I, The Song.’”