Synopsis
Tibetan Film Festival, June 2009
THE MESSAGE OF THE TIBETANS
In 1963, for the first time, the Dalai Lama allowed a Westerner, Desjardins, to film the heart of the Tibetan tradition. It includes footage of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, the Sixteenth Karmapa, Dudjom Rinpoche, Ling Rinpoche, Chatral Rinpoche, Sakya Trizin, and the yogis Abo Rinpoche and Lopon Sonam Zangpo.
"These portraits of the legendary Tibetan masters are not simply a unique historical record, not only a stunning and moving inspiration for now and for the future, but an extraordinary testimony, a treasure." Sogyal Rinpoche.
THE TIBETANS, A LIFE IN EXILE
This documentary examines the difficulties confronting Tibetans in exile as they struggle to adapt to the increasing intrusion of the modern world.
Filmed in the colourful town of Dharamsala in the stunning Indian Himalayas, this film powerfully illustrates the growing conflict between traditional Tibetan culture and encroaching outside influences.
Featuring the Dalai Lama and several other prominent community figures who speak with passion and conviction about the gravity of the current situation.
ART IN EXILE
A film about the Tibetans living in exile in India and the role their art is playing in keeping their identity and the larger ‘Free Tibet’ movement alive. From the prolific activist poet, Tenzin Tsundue to the enigmatic, ex-Tibetan Youth Congress president / poet- Lhasang Tsering, rock band JJI Exile brothers, to the traditional institutes like TIPA and Norbulingka, the film offers glimpses into an alternate Tibetan revolution.
UNDERCOVER IN TIBET
Tibetan exile Tash Despa returns to the homeland he risked his life to escape eleven years ago to carry out secret filming with director Jezz Neumann. Risking imprisonment and deportation, he uncovers evidence of the 'cultural genocide' described by the Dalai Lama. He finds the nomadic way of life being forcefully wiped out as native Tibetans are stripped of their land and livestock and are being resettled in concrete camps. Undercover in Tibet reveals the regime of terror, which dominates daily life and makes freedom of expression an impossibility. Tash meets victims of arbitrary arrests, detention, torture and disappearances and uncovers evidence of enforced sterilizations on
ethnic Tibetan women. He sees for himself the impact of the enormous military and police presence in the region, the hunger and hardships endured by many Tibetans and hears warnings of the uprising taking place across the province now.
GYALYUM CHENMO: THE GREAT MOTHER
Gyalyum Chemo and The Great Mother is the compelling life story of Dekyi Tsering, the mother of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. The Tibetan people call her “Gyalyum Chemo” or “Great Mother.” During the course of her extraordinary life, she gave birth to sixteen children, seven who survived, two of whom were recognized as incarnate lamas, and one who has been recognized by millions around the globe as one of the world’s leading ambassadors for peace.
The film weaves together a rich life history of anecdotal threads and personal reflection from her children, grandchildren and friends who share the details of her long and full life. We are guided and inspired by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who speaks candidly of his admiration and respect for his mother and the powerful impact she had on him.
Dekyi Tsering’s story, as seen through the larger lens of the universal Great Mother, powerfully conveys how the greater forces of love, generosity, and mercy are constantly called into being.
Part of a unique film trilogy known as WOMEN OF TIBET produced by Frame of Mind Films, The Great Mother: Gyalyum Chemo is an inspired hour-long journey into the spiritual power of motherhood. The storytellers provide a universal link to an ancient philosophy that continues to have a profound impact on today’s world.
MYSTIC TIBET: AN OUTER, INNER, AND SECRET PILGRIMAGE
In 2002, a group of exceptional people from around the world signed up to explore the country that is home of the Dalai Lamas. But this was no common tourist trek. Guided by the renowned Tibetan Buddhist master Lama Zopa Rinpoche, the pilgrims found themselves engaged in a rare and powerful experience – one in which the realms of great yogis and saints were revealed and personal transformation beckoned closer each day on the trail.
This intense journey takes one directly into the culture of Tibet and its arresting, spiritually-rich landscape in a way that is not often seen. It explores the deep inner meaning of pilgrimage, which purifies the mind and creates the good heart. These pilgrims discovered more than temples and holy mountains. They touched the extraordinary potential of their minds, their enlightened nature.
TIBET’S CRY FOR FREEDOM
Inspired by a burning passion to raise awareness of the Tibet Freedom Struggle, first time filmmaker Lara Damiani uncovers the truth about Tibet's long suffering non-violent freedom struggle. Filmed over 12 months in Tibet, Beijing and Australia, TIBET'S CRY FOR FREEDOM tells the history of Tibet that shocked the world in March 2008. Hear about human rights abuses, political persecution and the environmental destruction of this land known as 'The Roof of the World'.
DRAMGYEN: THE LUTE
The story of Dramgyen; The Lute is a short film based on a new Tibetan immigrant family. It is about the trepidation's of a simple family trying to adjust their lives in the western society.
Both parents coming from a musician background are unable to secure a good life in the west. They are unable to find "good" jobs.
Kelsang, the only daughter of the family is another musical prodigy (in traditional Tibetan instrument). Her father disapproves of her choice.
TIBET: MURDER IN SNOW
In September 2006, international mountain climbers witnessed and recorded Chinese border police as they opened fire on a group of unarmed Tibetan pilgrims escaping to Nepal.
THE CUP: AN INSPIRING TRUE STORY
Based on true events, two boys are sent, with much hardship and danger, to a monastery in exile in the picturesque foothills of the Himalayas. As they receive their ordination and orientation into a monastic life, a whirlwind of events not usually associated with the austere atmosphere of the monastery intrudes on their routine - how can they get to watch the World Cup Finals? Soon the chants of the young monks are a vehicle for soccer scores instead of prayers. Caught while sneaking out to watch a semi-final match, they are afraid of expulsion, but they are
even more afraid that they'll miss a match. A brazen plan is hatched that pits tradition against technology as the boys try to get a television and satellite dish into the monastery.
THE LOST WORLD OF TIBET
The rare treasure trove of amazing colour footage, preserved and restored by the BFI, reveals the story of the Dalai Lama and his secret Himalayan kingdom in a way never told before.
An exclusive interview with the Dalai Lama, focusing on his early life and childhood is intercut with colour archive film from the 1930s, '40s and '50s as
well as revealing interviews with ordinary Tibetan people who remember life before China sent in troops.
Presented by Dan Cruickshank, this astonising film allows us to glimpse into the rich culture of Tibet, showing us ancient ceremonies, Buddhist rituals and family life, from a time before the Tibetan people lost their country, nearly 50 years ago
BUDDHA'S WARRIOR
In the fight for freedom and democracy, their weapon in peace. Go inside the world of Buddhism with CNN chief international correspondent Christiane Amanpour.
THE UNWINKING GAZE
The Unwinking Gaze is an astonishing film of rare historic importance. Film maker Joshua Dugdale was given extraordinary access over a three-year period showing the trials and tribulations of the XIV Dalai Lama as he faces up to the titanic challenge of engaging with China
The rising superpower of China, home to a quarter of the human race, views the Dalai Lama with extreme suspicion, but how right are they to see the Tibetan spiritual leader as 'a wolf in monk's clothing'? And what is the Dalai Lama actually saying behind closed doors? Does he really want to split Tibet away from China?
The Unwinking Gaze goes where no other movie or journalistic endeavor has gone before in tracking the daily agonies of the Tibetan leader as he tries to strike a balance between his Buddhist vows and the real politik needed to placate China. David and Goliath is played out in front of us as the world's emerging superpower and the Dalai Lama walk a tightrope over an issue of global importance - the future of Tibet and China.
LEAVING FEAR BEHIND
What do Tibetans in Tibet think about the Beijing Olympic Games?
The documentary--Leaving Fear Behind--examines this question and a lot more besides. For five months, from October 2007 to March 2008, amateur filmmaker Dhondup Wangchen and his monk camerman, Golok Jigme, secretly filmed in Tibet. They were both arrested at the end of March after the protests erupted, but not before they had managed to smuggle their tapes safely to Switzerland.
DREAMING OF TIBET
In isolated communities around the world, particularly in India, Nepal and the United States, Tibetan exiles have created a 'virtual Tibet,' where they have endured and even flourished in the face of overwhelming adversity. DREAMING OF TIBET follows their arduous journeys from Tibet into exile over a 19,000 foot Himalayan pass. It's a flight that the Dalal Lama took in 1958 and over 150,000 of his followers have taken since then. Most have only minimal clothing and meager provisions to make the life-threatening trek. Many die along the way.
This intimate documentary is about the resilience of the human spirit under the most dire circumstances. The film looks at the lives of three extraordinary Tibetan exiles who have survived in exile and are deeply involved in working for the survival of their culture. They are, in short, Ms. Tseten Phanucharas, a political activist, who is one of the Dalai Lama's press coordinators in Los Angeles; Ms. Tsering Lhamo, a nurse working with recent refugees in Kathmandu, Nepal; and Mr. Ngawang Ugyen, a monk in the Mt. Everest foothills.
DREAMING OF TIBET captures the difficult challenges they each face and conveys the sense of hope they bring to their day-to-day lives in spite of great hardship and loss.
Also features His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and author/climber Jon Krakauer, with appearances by actors Richard Gere and Goldie Hawn.