July 31, 2007
Tibet: Press Freedom Nowhere to be Found
Despite China’s pledge to grant press freedoms ahead of the Olympics, Australian directors shooting a documentary in Tibet were kept under close scrutiny by the military.
Despite China’s pledge to grant press freedoms ahead of the Olympics, Australian directors shooting a documentary in Tibet were kept under close scrutiny by the military.
Below are extracts from an article published by Phayul:
[…] Adelaide filmmakers, Lara Damiani and Alex Alexander, have overcome many obstacles since first deciding to make a documentary about Tibet in November last year. The latest involved questioning by Chinese military police while filming in Tibet.
Last week [23-29 July 2007], Director Lara Damiani returned from Tibet amidst restrictions and strict Chinese control to complete the final stage of filming before starting the post-production of their documentary, scheduled for release later this year [2007].
“At one point, there was a very real fear that my tapes and camera would be confiscated. We were driving back to Lhasa when we were stopped and questioned by a Chinese soldier for filming a bridge that was being guarded. Even more frightening were the possible consequences for our Tibetan driver and guide. The Chinese Government has such obvious control in Tibet and an oppressive and overbearing military presence” said Lara.
China has strict regulations on journalists and filmmakers in Tibet despite supposedly relaxing these controls prior to the Beijing Olympics in 2008. Worldwide, supporters of Tibet will celebrate International Day of Action for Tibet on August 8th – marking a year to the start of the Beijing Olympics.
The local filmmaker’s documentary “The Tibet Project – No Currency in Compassion” was inspired by the plight of Tibet and the Tibetans and a burning desire to spread the message of Tibet in the lead up to the Beijing Olympics. China invaded Tibet in 1950, overthrowing the Tibetan government who now operate in exile in India. Since then, more than a million Tibetans have been killed. Torture, death and imprisonment continue today. Forming their own independent film company, The Kollectiv, Lara and Alex knew that filming in Tibet would be a potentially dangerous task. To avoid suspicion and so as not to endanger the lives of the local Tibetan community, filming was undertaken under the guise of tourists. The documentary has been filmed in India, Tibet, China and Australia.
The documentary, which will be released on DVD and sold to national and international broadcasters, offers a contemporary look at the issue of Tibet and aims to raise awareness that the issue of Tibet is not just about Tibet – it is a metaphor for our world. It represents the struggle against power, greed, injustice and exploitation on a global level.
[…]
