A polemic posing as a documentary, but an effective one nevertheless, filmmaker Tom Peosay's Tibet: Cry of the Snow Lion offers a compelling account of the 1949 Chinese takeover of the beautiful Himalayan land, as well as a cogent overview of the international movement to raise awareness of the Tibetan people's plight. The emphasis here is on the religious tradition of Tibetan Buddhism (though the particulars of the faith are only briefly sketched), with moving testimony from those brutalized by the communist occupiers--mostly monks, but also a British broadcaster who happened to be in the employ of the government at the time of the invasion. Of course, the central figure of resistance is the Dalai Lama, whose escape from the country and crusade against Chinese efforts to destroy its culture through mass immigration are treated extensively. While there are occasional rejoinders from government spokesmen, all are made to look ridiculous by contrast, and the chilling argument that the Beijing regime aims to eradicate Tibet's special character, particularly its religious heritage, is made persuasively here. Narrated by Martin Sheen, Tibet: Cry of the Snow Lion effectively limns a troubling historical chapter, while also stirring up a sense of outrage in compassionate viewers. Recommended. [Note: DVD extras include five segments of bonus footage (55 min. total), 16 minutes of interviews with His Highness the XIV Dalai Lama (excerpted from his April 1993 address to the National Press Club in Washington, DC) and Dr. Robert Thurman, the music video “Long Life Chant” by Jeff Beal and Nawang Khechog, and trailers. Bottom line: an excellent extras package for a powerful documentary.] (F. Swietek)
Tibet: Cry of the Snow Lion
New Yorker, 104 min., not rated, VHS: $24.95, DVD: $29.95, Dec. 14 Volume 20, Issue 1
Tibet: Cry of the Snow Lion
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