Dharamsala, Jan 29: ‘The Sun Behind the Clouds: Tibet’s Struggle for Freedom,’ a documentary film that was recently declared an “audience documentary favorite” at the 21st Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival, will have its Mumbai and Dehi premières next month, its Delhi-based filmmakers have announced.
The film will be screened in Mumbai on February 7 as part of the international competition section of the Mumbai International Film Festival. On February 12 the The Foundation for Universal Responsibility of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and India International Centre (IIC) will joinlty host a screening of the documentary in Delhi.
The documentary by a Tibetan filmmaker Tenzing Sonam and his Indian wife Ritu Sarin was among a total of 188 films from 70 countries that had made it to the prestigious international film festival.
Its popularity soared at the film festival following Chinese authorities’ protest over its screening. Two Chinese movies selected for the event were later withdrawn after its organisers declined Chinese government representatives’ request to cancel screenings of the film.
“After meeting with representatives from the Chinese government regarding their request to cancel our screenings of The Sun Behind The Clouds: Tibet’s Struggle for Freedom, we have respectfully declined their request,” festival director Darryl Macdonald said at the time.
The controversy contributed to sold out audience during its scheduled screenings at the festival and received rave reviews from some moviegoers. As a result, the film fest organisers also added an additional screening.
The film was screened under ‘True Stories’ section.
With unusual intimate access, filmmakers Sonam and Sarin find a unique perspective on the Dalai Lama’s trials and tribulations and follow him over an eventful year, including the 2008 protests in Tibet, the long march to Tibet in India, the Beijing Olympics and the breakdown of talks with China. Set against this backdrop, the film explores the interplay between the personal and the historic, spirituality and politics, His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the Tibet situation based on peaceful dialogue, and the impatience of a younger generation of Tibetans.
Oscar-winning composer of Brokeback Mountain and Babel, Gustavo Santaolalla, provided music to the documentary.
Screening details:
Mumbai: 2:30 pm; Sunday, 7 February 2010, National Centre for the Performing Arts
New Delhi: 6:30 pm; Friday, 12 February 2010, India International Centre
