Eighth International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights 4-14 March 2010
Tribute to Dhondup Wangchen
Dhondup Wangchen is a Tibetan film director. Suspected of “illegal journalism” - an offence not mentioned in the Chinese penal code - he was arrested on 26 March 2008 following a period of general unrest in the Tibet Autonomous Region.
Wangchen had made a documentary entitled “Leaving Fear Behind”. Prior to the Olympic Games in Beijing, the Chinese authorities were promising greater liberty. The film presents interviews with Tibetans who expressed their skepticism on this count, and their admiration for the Dalai Lama, as well as being openly critical of the authorities.
Sent secretly to Switzerland and edited by Wangchen’s cousin who lives here, the documentary was shown to foreign correspondents on the eve of the Games opening ceremony, but the screening at a Beijing hotel was interrupted by the police.
Last December, Wangchen was sentenced to six years in prison. Amnesty International is demanding the immediate and unconditional release of this political prisoner.