Maysles Cinema, the Kham Film Project, Machik and
the Modern Tibetan Studies Program at Columbia University
present
TIBET IN HARLEM
March 1st – 7th, 2009
7 days of films and events celebrating the history, culture and religion of Tibet
at
Maysles Cinema
343 Lenox Avenue
between 127th and 128th St.
New York, NY
Maysles Cinema in Harlem
People know of the glossy Hollywood films made about Tibet and its famous leader the Dalai Lama, but the films in this series show aspects of Tibetan life that have been rarely seen - the CIA and the guerillas fighting in Tibet in the 1960s, life in Lhasa before the Chinese arrived, Chinese environmentalists trying to save the Tibetan antelope, undercover human rights reporting, exile beauty contests, and contemporary children’s cartoons in Tibetan. Some will charm and others will shock, but all will give a richer, fuller sense of what it’s like to be a modern Tibetan in the world today.
— Robert Barnett,
Director of Modern Tibetan Studies, Columbia University
Ama-la and Prayer Flags by Tenzin Phakmo - Mixed media on canvas
Tibet in Harlem is a weeklong series of film screenings accompanied by special events, panel discussions, performances, arts exhibits and receptions. The screenings are co-sponsored by New York-area Tibetan community organizations and international non-profit organizations working inside Tibet and proceeds from the events will go to these organizations. Tibet in Harlem provides audiences with more than the traditional movie-going experience – it offers opportunities to experience other forms of Tibetan culture, learn about exciting new projects, engage in dialog, and get involved.
March 10th marks the 50th anniversary of the Tibetan uprising, when hundreds of thousands of Tibetans surrounded the Dalai Lama’s palace to ensure his safety in the days prior to his exile. The week leading up to this anniversary offers a critical time for reflection and dialog on the fifty years of tension and unresolved conflict in Tibet.
Tibet in Harlem will also feature an exhibit by local Tibetan artists including Tenzin Phakmo, Tenzing Rigdol and Sonam Dhondup. The space will be open throughout the week to sell various items including Tibetan books, DVDs, Tibetan jewelry and handmade Tibetan rugs. 100% of the wholesale value of every rug will support the initiatives of Machik, an NGO working to improve educational opportunities in rural Tibet.
Screenings are open to the public at the suggested donation of $7.
Box office opens 1 hour prior to screening and seating is very limited.
Please direct all press, requests for reservations, and series passes to cinema@mayslesfilms.com
from “Raid into Tibet”
Film Schedule
Panel discussions, live performances and receptions to follow most screenings. Please check for details and updates at www.mayslesinstitute.org
Sunday, March 1st @ 7PM: The Shadow Circus: The CIA in Tibet (Ritu Sarin & Tenzing Sonam, 2000) 49 min.Raid Into Tibet (George Patterson, 1974) 30 min. Panel discussion and reception to follow
Monday, March 2nd @ 7:30PM: Leaving Fear Behind(Dhondup Wangchen & Golog Jigme, 2008) 25 min. Distorted Propaganda (Jeff Lodas, 2007) 62 min.Filmmaker Jeff Lodas will be present for Q&A
Tuesday, March 3rd @ 7:30PM: Co-Presented by Asia Society The Forbidden Team (Arnold Krøgaard & Rasmus Dinesen, 2008) 54 min. Beauty and the Beast: A Search for Miss Tibet (Tenzin Tsetan Choklay, 2006) 13 min. Miss Tibet in Exile (Tashi Wangchuk & Tsultrim Dorjee , 2008) 41 min.Filmmaker Tashi Wangchuk will be present via Skype for Q&A
Wednesday, March 4th @ 7:30PM: Co-Presented by The Shelley & Donald Rubin Foundation Tibetan Story (Christian Aid, 1965) 25 min. Tashi Writes a Letter 25 min. Stranger in My Native Land (Ritu Sarin & Tezing Sonam, 1998) 33 min. Panel discussion and poetry reading by Tenzing Rigdol to follow
Thursday, March 5th @ 7:30PM Religious Investiture of His Holiness the Dalai Lama (Office of Tibet, 1970) 20 min. Special Work-In-Progress Screening: Dalai Lama, Colombia (Lina Dorado, 2009) 68 min.Filmmakers Lina Dorado and Cecil Esquivel-Obregon will be present for Q&A
Friday, March 6th @ 7:30PM free screening Co-Presented by Machik Kekexili (Mountain Patrol)(Chuan Lu, 2004) 90 min. Panel discussion and reception to follow
Saturday, March 7th @ 2PM Children’s Program 90 min. A selection of classic cartoons in Tibetan. 7PM The Reincarnation of Khensur Rinpoche (Ritu Sarin & Tenzing Sonam, 1991) 50 min. Thread of Karma (Ritu Sarin & Tezning Sonam, 2007) 50 min. Closing night reception with special musical performance by Phurbu Lhamo to follow
from “A Stranger in My Native Land”
Maysles Cinema is located at 343 Lenox Avenue/Malcolm X Blvd between 127th & 128th St.
For more information, reservations, and festival passes, please contact cinema@mayslesfilms.com or call (212) 582-6050
