Sonthar Gyal
Directing
Biography
Sonthar Gyal (b. 1974) is a Tibetan director from Tongde County, Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai. Gyal studied at the Tsolho Nationalities Teacher Training College in Hainan Prefecture and taught in the nomadic community for four years. Afterwards, he received a scholarship to study fine arts at the Qinghai Normal University in Xining. After graduating in 2003 with a B.A. in Fine Arts, he worked as an art teacher and a curator at the Tongde Cultural Museum. Encouraged by his friend, Pema Tseden, who also hails from Hainan Prefecture, Gyal followed him to the prestigious Beijing Film Academy, where he studied cinematography for 2 years with the support of Trace Foundation. Upon graduation, Gyal worked as a cinematographer and artistic director for a series of films and documentaries, many directed by Tseden. He made his directorial debut in 2011 with "The Sun Beaten Path." — Wikipedia
Known For
Documentary about China's film industry and the monumental changes in the past 40 years from beginning with propaganda films to the "5th generation" filmmakers and beyond, who embraced art and commercial films to make China the second largest box office market in the world after Hollywood.
The 40th Anniversary of Chinese Film Since China's Reform and Opening-Up
A man returns home after sixteen years for his father's funeral, only to uncover a long-buried family secret and the truth about his unresolved relationship with his deceased father.
Bystander
A story of an aged sheepherder, his gruff grown son (who’s having trouble conceiving a child with his wife) and the old man’s Tibetan mastiff hound – a highly prized breed, much sought after by urban Chinese – whose existence is imperiled from all sides.
Old Dog
A touching story about Tibetan people’s pilgrimage to Lhasa.
Ala Changso
A young Tibetan monk goes back home for the New Year's celebrations. Fascinated by television, he wants to bring his family's television to the monastery to show it to his master.
The Silent Holy Stones
An award-winning debut feature from Tibetan director Sonthar Gyal, The Sun Beaten Path presents the story of a young man making a pilgrimage to Lhasa to overcome the guilt of causing a family member’s death.
The Sun Beaten Path
Lhamo and Skalbe fail to get married when they find out that Skalbe has already registered a marriage. Memories rush back as Skalbe embarks on a journey in search for his so-called ex-wife Cuoyehe, only to discover that the girl had renunciated her secular life when she broke their marriage promise four years ago. As a result, Cuoyehe's religious identity causes great difficulty in Skalbe's attempt at a divorce. On the other hand, Lhamo becomes aloof.
Lhamo and Skalbe
A filmmaker searches the Himalayas for an actor and actress to play the lead roles in his Tibetan opera.
The Search
Pema's graduation film made for Beijing Film Academy, Set in rural Tibet ; it is a timeless allegory of an old nomadic couple searching for a stolen yak.
The Grassland
The rich complexity of human relationships is central to this story of a young girl, her father, and his father, who each long to strengthen their bonds, but find themselves fighting the weight of personal and national histories. Tibetan writer-Director Sonthar Gyal (The Sun-Beaten Path) makes breathtaking use of the Tibetan plains and mountains as an epic backdrop to this intimate family drama.
River
No description available.