ND/NF ’26: Next Life

In Tibet, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) constantly destroys lives, but it also jeopardizes reincarnations. For Tibetans exiles like Rigzin’s parents, a return to their homeland before their anticipated deaths holds great karmic implications for their next life. However, the occupying CCP rarely issues travel visas for Tibetan exiles. So far, Rigzin’s Pala and Amala have not been exceptions. He keeps applying, but time is running out in Tenzin Phuntsog’s Next Life, which screens during this year’s New Directors/New Films.

Tsewang and his wife have been happy living in America, but they still feel like they belong in Tibet. In contrast, Rigzin clearly identifies with America on a cultural level, even though he speaks Tibetan with his parents and practices Tibetan Buddhism. Tsewang’s heart is failing, so he has given up on Western medicine, in favor of traditional Tibetan healing. However, the results remain the same.

Next Life very much explores the dynamics of modern immigrant families, but their dilemma is distinctly Tibetan. Given Tsewang’s extensive family roots in Tibet and his advanced age, the CCP’s continued rejection of his visa application is simply a product of cruelty and spite. Perhaps the most telling sequence captures Rigzin trying to navigate the Chinese consulate’s automated phone system, until he finally reaches a consular officer, who sounds like a dystopian AI chatbot, but was perfectly voiced by Yanbin Zhao.

Unfortunately, the film’s reserve might reflect Tibetan stoicism, which often regrettably keeps the audience at arm’s length. We come to empathize on an intellectual level, but there is little real emotion until the third act. Rigzin Phurpatsang (as his namesake) maintains an apt restraint, which makes the sorrow he eventually allows to escape quite moving. However, it takes a while to get to that point.

Consequently, Next Life is a film that will generate enormous respect, but it will be hard for festival patrons to champion it with passion. However, it certainly gives outsiders much greater perspective on what exile truly means for Tibetans. Let us all hope and pray that they can all safely return in our lifetimes. Recommended for viewers with a strong affinity for Tibetan culture, Next Life screens today (4/13) at the Walter Reade and tomorrow (4/14) at MoMA, as ND/NF ’26.