His Holiness The Dalai Lama. Photo/northern voice online.com
Director Akhil Bali's documentary 'Yeti (Olympic Version,') is a film that brings the plight of the Tibetan people to bright light.
This film illustrates very well how the Chinese have taken Tibet away from it's indigenous people.
As the film starts there is a beautiful female voice illustrated by a women being dragged to what turns out to be a jail like structure. Throughout the film we hear this lovely voice with illustrations of how the Titian people feel. This voice is a very effective tool to get people to listen to the harsh realities of this beautiful country.
The Tibetan people are dedicated to a non-violent liberation movement.
This country encompasses 1 million square miles and sets at about 3 miles above sea level, making it the highest plateau occupied in the world.
The Tibetans and Chinese have always lived together, however in 1913, Tibet declared itself an independent country. This lasted until March of 1944, when the Chinese took over. (It's all more complicated than I can go into here. Check out Wiki.)
In March of 1959, His Holiness, the Dalai Lama had to escape to exile, effectively taking any hope of Tibet being independent once again.
The time frame this film was shot in was during the Chinese Olympics. There was much talk about Tibet, and the treatment the Chinese dealt out to her. Many people of Tibetan heritage took this opportunity to shed light on what was happening in their country. They protested vehemently against China hosting an event that was designed to bring the world together, while occupying land they had no right to.
'Yeti (Olympic Version) culminates in a march of over 120,000 people who want their country back. Obviously, they were thwarted in their attempts, however the world saw for a fleeting moment what was happening in Tibet.
Before watching this film, I had no idea how bad this situation is. I've heard such people as Richard Gere talk about the plight of Tibet. Seeing it on-screen is much more powerful.
It's a complicated situation, China wants Tibet due to it's access to other countries and also it's mineral supply. Other countries are wary of crossing the Chinese due to business issues. There is also the questions of autonomy vs independence.
When I meet people in different parts of the world, I am always reminded that we are all basically alike: we are all human beings. Maybe we have different clothes, our skin is of a different colour, or we speak different languages. That is on the surface. But basically, we are the same human beings.....The Dalai Lama
This film shows that as in a family so goes the world. We are only as happy as the saddest of our children. No one is free unless we are all free. Obviously, these thoughts are pie-in-the-sky dreams, but if people put their heads in the sand it will be status quo.
Bali has done an amazing film, all should see it and think about it's meaning. View it here, it is just over 47 minutes long and is free to watch.
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