Tibetans in-exile promote their freedom cause through movie

After staging a number of protests to vent their grievances, Tibetans living in-exile have produced a movie to promote their freedom struggle.

Dharamsala, May 20 : After staging a number of protests to vent their grievances, Tibetans living in-exile have produced a movie to promote their freedom struggle.

The movie titled 'Richard Gere - My hero', being screened in Dharamsala, is a tribute to Hollywood actor Richard Gere, for his support to the Tibetan cause.

"Richard Gere has given active support to the Tibetan cause for several years. So, it is a kind of a tribute being paid by us to the Hollywood star Richard Gere. Therefore, we have coined the name 'Richard Gere-My hero' for the film," said Tashi Wangchuk, the director of the movie.

The movie is an attempt to acquaint the non-Tibetan community of the trails and tribulations of the Tibetan freedom struggle.

"The primary motive of making this film is specifically for the non-Tibetan audience and to tell them about the Tibet political struggle and the current scenario in-exile. So, all we tried is to introduce the concept of the two major options that Tibetan exiled community has - one regarding independent Tibet and another regarding the autonomous status for Tibet," Wangchuk added.

An estimated 134,000 Tibetans live in-exile, a majority of them in India and Nepal.

Chinese troops occupied Tibet in 1950. Over the decades, Beijing has sought to impose its stamp on the traditional Tibetan society by closing monasteries and restricting religious life.

In 1959, the Buddhist spiritual leader the Dalai Lama set up his seat of power in Dharamsala after he and his followers fled to India.

ANI