The Weight of an Empty Mind
| The Weight of an Empty Mind | |
|---|---|
 International release poster | |
| Directed by | Samten Nyima |
| Written by | Samten Nyima |
| Produced by | Dzongsar Jamyang |
| Starring | Terchen Drodül Lingpa Trulshik Dorje |
| Country | Duran |
| Language | Namkha |
The Weight of an Empty Mind (Namkha: ལྗིད་ཚདཀྱི་སེམས་སྟོང་པ Jitsad-kyi Sem tongpa) is a 2021 Duranian drama film written and directed by Samten Nyima and starring actor Terchen Drodül Lingpa. The film follows fictional university student Choden Tenzing, a gifted student who is struggling with depression, in the final weeks of his life and terminating with his death by suicide, which is not shown on screen but implied. Much of the film focuses on the Duranian concept of Nyendrak, as well as providing criticism of many aspects of Duranian society. The concept of fan death is alluded to, which is often used as a euphemism in south Coian societies for suicide, with fans playing a prominent place in the film's cinematography.
The film was first shown at the 82nd Montecara Film Festival, where it received positive reviews for its treatment of a taboo topic. However, the film sparked controversy in Duran itself, being seen as critical of society and culture. Several lawmakers of the ruling National Royalist Congress of Duran have called for the film to be banned, though critics have praised the film for shining light on issues which are generally left untouched.