Kumu Documentary: Mola: A Tibetan Tale of Love and Loss
Dir Yangzom Brauen, Martin Brauen
Switzerland and USA 2025, 84 min
In Tibetan, German and English, with English subtitles
Kunsang Wangmo, known as “Mola” (grandmother), a 100-year-old nun, wants to return to her homeland, Tibet, to die.
Kunsang Wangmo, known as “Mola“ (grandmother) has been away from her homeland for nearly 60 years: a Buddhist nun exiled from her native Tibet since 1959. Her final wish is to return to Tibet to die in her paradise homeland. With her 100th birthday approaching, time is running out.
In Bern, Switzerland, Mola prays and meditates every day while remaining a vital part of her close-knit family. Wanting to honour her wishes, Mola’s family begins the painstaking process of applying for a visa from the Chinese embassy, which could take months. As life goes on normally in their household, the family begins to document what could be their final days together with Mola.
This film tells the story of a devoted and charismatic woman who, like millions of others, was driven away by drastic political changes. Far from home, she lives a life of dignity and meaning. The story also tells the intimate and universal tale of a mother and her daughter, with all the love and demands that their shared life involve. It is very touching as they care for each other and have very open talks about life, love and where to die.
Homepage: https://www.molafilm.com/
