The exiled spiritual leader of Tibet, the Dalai Lama was today presentedwith a copy of the recently completed documentary “Tibet’s Cry forFreedom” by Adelaide filmmaker Lara Damiani.
In Sydney to give teachings on the stages of meditation, the Dalai Lamareceived a copy of the documentary about the Tibetan freedom struggle, at The Dome in Sydney Olympic Park from Damiani, backstage.
Damiani was so inspired by the plight of Tibet and the Tibetans and aburning desire to spread the message of Tibet in the lead up to the Beijing Olympics, that she decided to make a feature length documentary about theissue in November last year. The documentary, filmed over 12 months from March 2007 to March 2008 was self funded and stalled in February this year when funds ran out. It was rescued financially by a Sydney couple who foundout about Damiani’s plight for funding.
“When he visited in June, His Holiness the Dalai Lama said to me at the press conference in Melbourne ‘Time is running out, that’s true. If the present situation remains another 10-15 years, I think most probably, Tibet will finish’. This documentary is my effort to raise awareness of the Tibetan freedom struggle” said Damiani.
Damiani got the full support of the Tibetan Government in exile for her production and personal interviews with the Dalai Lama and Tibetan Prime Minister in Exile. She also interviewed outspoken exiled Tibetan Lhasang Tsering who broke his three year media silence to talk with Damiani.Damiani wanted to give the Chinese Government an opportunity to be involved in the documentary but repeated requests for interviews with Hu Jintao andthe Chinese Ambassadors in India and Australia were not responded to.Australian actress Kerry Armstrong donated her time to narrate thedocumentary and Tibetan singer and musician Tenzin Choegyal from Brisbanehas provided the music.
Post Production was undertaken in Canberra by SilverSun Pictures who have offered their time and services to the project. SilverSun Pictures foundout about Damiani’s documentary in October last year after an article that appeared in The Canberra Times and contacted her to help out.
The documentary will raise global awareness about issues in Tibet such as Human Rights abuses, political persecution, environmental destruction and the destruction of the Tibetan Culture. It examines the complexities faced by this nation as it continues its non-violent freedom struggle.
Damiani, who has directed, written, researched, written and produced the documentary (as well as operating the camera in Tibet and Beijing) is now getting strong interest from broadcasters in Australia and overseas. She is aiming for global distribution to raise awareness of the plight of Tibet in the lead up to the Beijing Olympics.
For more information, visit www.thetibetproject.com
