Pema Tseden was born into a pastoral family, in Guide County, Qinghai, in December 1969, during the Cultural Revolution.

[6][7] In June 2016, Pema Tseden was detained by police after attempting to re-enter the baggage claim area at Xining airport to retrieve one of his luggage.

On Saturday, he was ordered to serve administrative detention but was hospitalized the following Monday after experiencing headaches, chest pains, and high blood sugar.

Wang Lei, media director for Tharlo, said Pema Tseden had diabetes and was not able to medicate normally during detention.

[9] The Film Directors Guild of China issued a statement calling for an investigation into whether the police had used excessive force.