Tibetan Film Controversy Stirs Up Interest
PALM SPRINGS – The Palm Springs International Film Festival is in the middle of a controversy, as Chinese authorities outwardly disapprove of a Tibetan film on this year’s line-up. On Sunday, a screening of that film was held in Palm Springs and hundreds came to see what all of the fuss was about.
Last week Chinese leader’s withdrew two films from the Palm Springs International Film festival, after organizers refused to remove The Sun Behind The Clouds… Tibet’s Struggle For Freedom from the line-up. The film’s directors say they aren’t surprised by China’s actions.
“The Chinese are known to put pressure even on government,” says Tenzing Sonam,The Sun Behind the Clouds filmmaker. “What’s unusual here is they did it so openly. It’s usually behind the scenes.”
This recently controversy is in the spotlight, attracting a lot of attention.
“I want to see the movie they are so upset about,” says film watcher, Tony Evans.
The directors say their film shows the truth about Tibet.
“The Chinese don’t want any views of the Tibetan people, only their view,” says Sonam. “They want to show that Tibetan’s are happy and there is no trouble. That is not true, in fact it’s the opposite.”
“Tibet has always been a fascination for the western world as a peaceful country, but now that this wonderful place under attack, it strikes a cord with American people,” says Sonam.
People at the Palm Springs International Film Festival are upset.
“China needs to get with the rest of the world, they are out of touch,” says Evans.
One man was so mad, he’s protested all China-made products, even those sold at the festival. Film makers and film watchers all seem to agree that China’s withdrawal from the festival is doing more damage, than the film.
“I think it is a grave mistake,” says film watcher, Elissa Goforth.
This is the second time in a few weeks that a Tibetan film is under fire. In China, a filmmaker was recently sentenced to 6 years in prison for his documentary on Tibet.
