By Ben Tsui
Calgary (Alberta, Canada), July 29: The Tibetan Community of Alberta (TCA) was ecstatic about the positive responses from local Tibetans and Canadian supporters during this weekend’s premiere of Dreaming Lhasa in Calgary. Over two hundred enthusiasts have taken refuge from the sweltering afternoon heat inside the Plaza Theatre.
This was the first time the community used cinema as an alternative form of fundraising. TCA President Tashi Phuntsok believed it was a very good beginning. He wasn’t sure how the outcome may be but felt that there is urgency for supporting the Tibetan Cause. “It’s been delayed too long!”
Partly funded by actor Richard Gere, the husband and wife directing team of Ritu Sarin and Tenzing Sonam have crafted a mysterious road trip movie about Karma (Tenzin Chokyi Gyatso), a female New York based documentary filmmaker, who must journey with Dhondup (Jampa Kalsang) across India in search for a missing Buddhist monk.
Although the film was rough around the edges in execution and acting, it was very impressive how the movie blended both the traditional and contemporary Tibetan cultures and ways of life on the screen.
Japanese Canadian Mia Tokoro was surprised at the screening that there were many things about Tibet that she didn’t know about. “I don’t know much about the country’s history. It was very interesting for me… an eye opener!”
Ms. Yeshi Lhamo was extremely surprised to find her former Tibetan language teacher from Dehradun on screen. Actor Phuntsok Namgyal Dhumkhang played an ex-resistance fighter monk who was recruited by the CIA during the seventies.
Canadian friend Nathan Clouse found Dreaming Lhasa was “very realistic”.
Preceding the feature was a short political music video called March for Freedom. TCA executive member Tsering Parsur thought the work was really strong and emotional. The audience was glassy-eyed by the end of the song.
TCA secretary Tsering Parchang insisted, “Time is running out; We got to get the word out”.
