Two short films showing as part of the Tibetan film season which explore the difficulties in preserving cultural identity in Tibet
Art in Exile
Dirs: Nidhi Tuli, Ashraf Abbas, India, 2006, 27 minutes
Exploring the role of art in the creation and preservation of cultural identity for exiled Tibetans, from prolific activist poet Tenzin Tsundue to offbeat rock band JJI Brothers to the Norbulingka institute and the Tibetan Institute for Performing Arts in Dharamsala, Northern India, this film offers an insight into an alternative Tibetan revolution. Presented in collaboration with the Foundation for Universal Responsibility of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Public Service Broadcasting Trust (India)
Chaksampa – The Yogi Who Built Iron Bridges
Director Tsering Rhitar, Nepal, 2003, 30 minutes
This documentary follows the Tibetan Lhamo Association of Kathmandu in its efforts to preserve the lhamo tradition – Tibetan opera. We follow this amateur lhamo opera troupe as they create then perform a new work based on the life of Thangtong Gyalpo, famed both for building iron bridges and founding Tibetan opera. Their dream is to perform it before the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala Northern India