The Ladakhi feature film ‘Idiot’ has successfully secured a French co-production partner, La Belle Affaire Productions, known for the Venice title ‘Wolf & Dog’. The deal was announced at the co-production market of the WAVES Film Bazaar, the industry platform of the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa. This partnership aims to give the film a global platform, leveraging its unique local context and universal themes.
The film is set in the high-altitude Changthang region of Ladakh, offering a distinct and visually rich backdrop. ‘Idiot’ marks the feature debut of Stenzin Tankyong, who is already recognized for his award-winning shorts like ‘Sekool’ and ‘Last Days of Summer’ (which played at the Rotterdam film festival).
It is a humorous yet humane coming-of-age drama that follows Singay, an 18-year-old prankster and the sole Class 10 student in a remote government school. The central conflict revolves around his teachers’ increasingly desperate measures to ensure he passes his board exams.
The film uses Singay’s story to shed light on a crucial socio-economic issue in the region: the fragility of rural education systems in Ladakh.
The makers note that government school enrolments are steadily declining as parents increasingly choose to send their children to private institutions in Leh and other cities.
Filmmaker Stenzin Tankyong articulated the film’s core message: “An uneducated generation cannot uplift its community. This film explores that truth—with honesty, humour and heart.”
Producer Ritu Sarin praised Tankyong’s work for bringing an authentic Ladakhi voice to Indian cinema, recognizing ‘Idiot’s potential to be a universal coming-of-age story within a specific cultural setting.
The project is produced by Ritu Sarin and Tenzing Sonam alongside Rajesh Thanickan of White Crane Films.
French co-producers are Flore Cavigneaux and Jerome Blesson of La Belle Affaire Productions.
The team has initiated financing discussions at Film Bazaar and has already secured some private equity. They are actively seeking additional international partners and co-producers as the project enters its next phase of development.
Key Highlights:
- The Ladakhi feature debut film ‘Idiot’, by Stenzin Tankyong, has secured a French co-production deal with La Belle Affaire Productions at the IFFI Film Bazaar in Goa.
- The coming-of-age drama is set in the high-altitude Changthang region of Ladakh and follows the last Class 10 student in a remote school whose teachers struggle to make him pass his exams.
- The film highlights the critical issue of the declining rural education system in Ladakh, where parents increasingly favor private schools in the cities over local government schools.
- Produced by White Crane Films, the project has already secured some private equity and is actively seeking further international co-producers to complete its financing.