materie 2004* - Norsk filminstitutt

In a state-run orphanage in the Xinjiang province in China, the children learn tightrope walking.
The children are Uyghurs, the largest Muslim minority in China. The Uyghurs are systematically
supressed. At least 10.000 of them are imprisoned on suspicion of separatism, and
hundreds have been executed. Dawaz – tightrope walking – is an ancient Uyghur tradition.
On a Tightrope follows four of the orphanage children in their struggle to create a better
life for themselves. They talk about their frustration in having to train so hard, only to find
out later that it was to no avail. Even if not all of them want to become professional tightrope
walkers, they feel that they have failed. At this time, an old, retired tightrope walker turns up
and becomes their new coach. With love and patience, he teaches the children tightrope walking,
this time successfully.
Petr Lom is a former educator. With a Ph.D. from Harvard University, he
taught at several European universities from 1999-2004. He began making documentaries
in 2004, specializing in human rights films. His first film, Bride
Kidnapping in Kyrgyzstan (which he independently produced, directed, shot
and edited), is currently enjoying great success on the international festival circuit
and to date has been sold to over 20 countries.
ON A TIGHTROPE
ON A TIGHTROPE
70 MIN | COLOUR | 1:1,85 | 4 REELS | DOLBY STEREO
DIRECTOR: PETR LOM
SCREENPLAY: TORSTEIN GRUDE AND PETR LOM
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: PETR LOM
PRODUCERS: TORSTEIN GRUDE AND BJARTE MØRNER TVEIT
FOR PIRAYA FILM AS
RELEASE DATE: MARCH 30, 2007
NORWEGIAN DISTRIBUTOR: TOUR DE FORCE
SALES: FILMS TRANSIT, 252 GOUIN BOULEVARD EAST,
MONTRÉAL, QUEBEC CANADA H3L 1A8,
TEL: +1 514 844 3358, FAX: +1 514 844 7298
NORWEGIAN FILMS 2008
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