Award-winning director Stanzin Dorjai, who represented India at the UN Paris Climate Change Conference, shares with R Sharma the idea behind Jungwa, his tryst with filmmaking and forthcoming projects
He was born in Gya in a small village, 4000 metres high from leh. He had not seen television till the age of thirteen but there came a turning point in his life. Either, he could become a government employee which seemed like a decent job or he could go to Paris as a cameraman. Stanzin Dorjai Gya, an award winning film director, represented India at the recently held UN Paris Climate Change Conference with his 52 minute documentary on environment called, Jungwa.
“Jungwa means air, water, fire and earth. In the movie, we have tried to show how these four elements are now in imbalance. In 2010, I still remember that day, I was in my room with my four-year-old kid when the tragic flood hit ladakh. It was a horrifying sight to witness as people, animals and their belongings were drowning and I was helpless. People were seeking help but I knew I could not help all of them, so I took out my camera and started to shoot. My son told me, ‘There are people dying and you are shooting themIJ’ But, I knew, if I don’t shoot this, then people are going to forget about it,” he shared.
He further shared, “I have made more than 15 documenatries but after this incident, I was affirmed that I want to do something on the environemnt. Back then, when we were shooting the whole movie, we met at least 40 people. With the scientific data and their information, we got to know that one degree in the temperature fell down and it is a lot for a place like ladakh where snow plays an imporatnt role. In today’s time, everybody is using a high- tech camera but for me, the subject plays an important role.
Dorjai who aims to bring change in people’s mindset for the environment told us that people in ladakh live a simple life. And till many years, people in his region were not aware of the reasons for this change. “They live a simple and healthy life. Some are aware disasters like floods are happening because of the climate change. Nobody talks about the problems that people are facing there. So, this is what I hope to achieve through my movies. I want people to know about the repercussions if they don’t start saving the environment, he shared.
But, the filmmaker told us very clearly that when he started making films, he did not show it to his people. “In the beginning, when I started making movies, I did not show to people in ladakh. I was not showing it to them because Jungwa was a bad memory for them. But, now they thank me when they they hear that I represented India at this level. Though it is a bad memory for all of us but with the help of Indian army and people supporting each other, we all came through.”
Talking about how hus tyrust with filmmaking started, he shared,“I did not see television till the age of 13. I did my further studies from leh. We had students coming in from Delhi, lucknow and other parts of the country.”
He surprisingly told us that many of the students felt that he had a good media eye. “They all used to tell me, ‘Stanzin, you have a good media eye’. But, I did not even know what they meant so I ignored it all the time but I used to nod my head simply affirming that what they are saying is right,” he told us with a smile on his face.
He continued, “When all of them told me to try my luck in media, I eventually did. And people back at home considered me as a fool who was leaving a decent profession as a government employee and was following my destiny. During this time, I met a girl from France who told me that they need a cameraman for a group of 26 children who were going to Paris so, I went with them. And, later on, when she saw my work, she was really surprised and said that I should send my documentary to Paris.”
He added, “More than 500 movies were sent, but they chose mine. People loved my movie and appreciate dme. Post this, amny colleges and universities also started calling me to give lectures. They found my story inspiring from leh to ladakh was a big deal, but I came through. I thought it was decided for the side shows but it was for the main event.”
Dorjai seemed quite firm when he said that he never wanted to show his country and its people ina negative light. “The message of the documentary is not to show people in a negative light. I very clearly portray and want our dignity and respect,”he pointed out.
While discussing about the theme of his next movie, he seemed very excited as the subject of the movie is his sister. “When I was going to Paris for the first time, I met three women. They were fine looking women who had access to everything. I noticed their fine clothes,expensive bags and their style. At first, I was shy to look even in their eyes. But, they initiated the conversation and asked me, where I was fromIJ When I told them that I am from Himalayas, they got excited and started talking to me. But, during our converstaion, a thought crossed my mind and it was of my sister who was alone up at 4000 meters high. Without wasting anytime, I started to write and came up with a very powerful write-up. When I went back and told her about it, she straight away said, no.”
He looked down, took a deep breath and continued, “She did not want people to know that she is my sister because of her dirty clothes. She told me very clearly, ‘look at my clothes, I live with animals, I don’t people to dislike you because of me’.
He added, “But I managed to make up her mind and we are going to release the movie sometime around the New year.”