Bhutan's 'I, The Song' Triumphs at the Oscars: A Cultural Milestone

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Bhutan Submits ‘I, The Song’ for 98th Academy Awards

In a significant move for its emerging film industry, Bhutan has officially selected ‘I, The Song’ as its entry in the international feature film category at the 98th Academy Awards. Directed by Dechen Roder, this selection underscores the nation’s creative potential and represents a crucial moment for Bhutanese cinema.

The film has received notable acclaim, sweeping multiple awards at the Bhutan National Film Awards. It won in prestigious categories including Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and major acting accolades, highlighting its impact on both audiences and critics.

An Intriguing Narrative

‘I, The Song’ follows the compelling journey of a school teacher searching for her doppelganger in southern Bhutan. This quest evolves into an exploration of identity and self-discovery, as the protagonist navigates her double’s life. The narrative intensifies as she strives to resolve her professional challenges while unraveling the mystery of a sacred song that has been stolen.

Film Festival Accolades

The film premiered at the esteemed Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, where Roder received the award for Best Director. It subsequently had its Asian premiere at the International Film Festival of India in Goa. The cast includes talents such as Tandin Bidha, Jimmie Wangyal Tshering, Tshering Dorji, Sonam Lhamo, and Dorji Wangdi, each enhancing the film’s rich narrative fabric.

Bhutan’s Oscar Submissions

This marks Bhutan’s fourth official submission to the Academy Awards since it began participating in 1999. Previous submissions included ‘The Cup’ in 1999, ‘Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom’ in 2020, and ‘The Monk and The Gun’ in 2023.

Notably, ‘Lunana’ became Bhutan’s first film to receive an Oscar nomination, showcasing the potential of Bhutanese cinema on a global scale.

Support from Local Authorities

The selection process for this year’s Oscars was facilitated by a committee organized by the Bhutan Information and Communications Media Authority (BICMA), the primary agency overseeing film in the country.

This recently established committee reflects a growing commitment to formalizing the submission process for international recognition.

Director Dechen Roder expressed gratitude for the committee’s support, stating, “We’re incredibly grateful for this recognition from our own country. While we may not have the budget for extensive campaigns, the honor of being selected means everything to us.”

International Collaborations and Themes

‘I, The Song’ has secured international funding from various grants, including those from Visions sud est and MPA APSA Film Fund, among others across Europe and Asia. Produced by Roder in collaboration with Dakinny Productions and Johann Chapelan from Girelle Production in France, the film benefits from a diverse array of co-producers from Norway, Taiwan, Italy, and France, along with Samuh, Bhutan’s pioneering streaming platform. Remarkably, the production progressed without traditional executive producers or equity investors, showcasing its independent spirit.

Arun Bhattarai, an acclaimed filmmaker and Academy member, noted the film’s significance, stating, “The film resonated with me on a personal level. Dechen has an exceptional talent for intertwining the real with the mystical, crafting a narrative that authentically reflects Bhutanese culture.”

Committee member Thaye Lam Tshering emphasized that the film addresses contemporary issues, including the impact of the digital age on reality and the viral nature of modern existence, while also highlighting Bhutan’s unique traditions and cultural richness.