Scenes in Tibet (1940s) - extracts

Highlights from the BFI National Archive's extensive collection of films shot in Tibet prior to the Chinese occupation can now be seen in the BBC/BFI co-production, 'The Lost World of Tibet' (2008). Featuring a potent interview with the Dalai Lama an extended version the documentary is available to buy on DVD from the BFI Filmstore - http://filmstore.bfi.org.uk/acatalog/info_7836.html

These extraordinary scenes were filmed in Tibet in the 1940s and include shots of the current Dalai Lama (then still a very young boy) and his family. The opening scenes show the Dalai Lama's parents and siblings, and a procession of high-ranking men and women. This is followed by a clip of a procession with the Dalai Lama in a golden palanquin, his presence indicated by the peacock feather umbrella being carried alongside. The final scenes, in contrast, show ordinary children dancing and ice-skating in Lhasa.

You can now watch over 20 hours of films made in Tibet between 1922 and 1949 in the Mediatheque at BFI Southbank. These include the films of plant hunter and botanist George Sherriff (his love of nature is reflected in the remarkable jewel-like colours of his films); James Guthrie, a Medical Officer who - among rather more important things - removed a cyst from the eye of one of the Dalai Lama's peacocks and Frederick Bailey: Political Agent, butterfly collector and spy. http://www.bfi.org.uk/mediatheque

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• BFI
• Tibet
• Dalai
• Lama
• tradition
• customs
• children
• family
• monks
• dress
• Buddhism
• Buddhist
• Lhasa

[latham29]

what??? the cultural revolution decimated tibet. Where as once there had been several thousand monasteries, by the end of the cultural revolution less than 10 were left in tact. of course, like all wars/conflicts, some tibetans supported the revolution, but it is now remembered as probably the worst time in tibet's history. The memory of the tens of thousands of people who were tortured, killed or displaced runs deeply through tibetan culture today.

[dorje168]

“The spirit of Tibetans living inside Tibet is very strong.

The Tibetans in exile have put in place a healthy democratic institution in both temporal and spiritual fields. So we are very much prepared.

• The actual problem comes from the Chinese government and not its people. Within the Chinese government there are different sorts of opinions.

• If the Hardliners' way of thinking changes,

• Tibet's problem will find a solution within a few days.”

• Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

• CNN, 23-11-1

[HumanRightsVideosT]

@ wingwaa

Do you know what happens

when

a Tibetan says "Free Tibet" in public in Tibet ??

[HumanRightsVideosT]

@ wingwaa

Do you know that Tibetans can't fly in and out of Tibet

like you can ?

[HumanRightsVideosT]

@ wingwaa

Do you think that Tibetans in Tibet

have

any human rights at all ?

[wingwaabuddha]

@HumanRightsVideosT sooo free hawaii from american imperialism? you realize you could do that with half the countries on earth right?

[pewmanfustudios]

Amazing footage. I love the hairstyles.

[HumanRightsVideosT]

@CapitanoGUC

Tibet was independent from China from 821 to 1949.

[HumanRightsVideosT]

@CapitanoGUC

Apparently TV is pretty boring in China. But I guess in many places in Tibet there's probably no signal at all.

[CapitanoGUC]

@HumanRightsVideosT thats well possible - thats how they do evrywhere in countrys governed by an komunist regime. Thats the same shit evrywhere in china ....:-/

[HumanRightsVideosT]

@CapitanoGUC

Tibetans have their satellite dishes stolen from them so TV in Tibet will be Central CORRUPTION TV propaganda and LIES