The Secret Tibet (The Forbidden world)

Mrs. Lhamo Tso. Photo: Potala Post

Leaving Fear Behind is a documentary film shot by Tibetans inside Tibet, made with the aim to bring Tibetan voices to the Beijing Olympic Games.
The filmmakers travelled thousands of miles, asking ordinary Tibetans what they really feel about the Dalai Lama, China and the event of the Olympic Games, providing a rare glimpse into the hearts and minds of the Tibetan people. The filmmakers gave their subjects the option of covering their faces, but almost all of the people interviewed agreed to have their faces shown on film, so strong was their desire to express themselves to the world.

The footage reveals with stark clarity that Tibetans are frustrated and embittered by the deterioration and marginalization of Tibetan language and culture; the destruction of the lifestyle of Tibetan nomads through Chinese forced settlement policies; the lack of religious freedom and the vilification of the Dalai Lama; and the broken promises made by the Chinese government to improve conditions in Tibet in the run up to the Olympic games. All are united in their reverence for the Dalai Lama and long for him to return, and as some even dream, to attend the Olympic Games.

The correspondent for Potala Post interview with Mrs. Lhamo Tso, the wife of detained filmmaker Mr. Dhondup Wangchen, in Dharamsala.

Potala Post: Can you give me a brief introduction to your husband Mr. Dhondup Wangchen?

LHAMO TSO: His name is Mr. Dhondup Wangchen; he is 35 years old from Amdo. He is from a village called Bayee, in the Amdo region. He didn’t get any opportunity to go to school when he was young. We have four children. They are in the exile school. He was always a very active man and always wanted to do something for Tibet.

Potala Post: I heard some news about his documentary video, so can you tell me what happened with him recently?

LHAMO TSO: His parents are both in Dharamsala, and he did some small business when he was in Dharamsala. He went to Tibet at the beginning of October 2007. But he didn’t mention what he was going to do. But I knew a little bit about what he was going to do, but it wasn’t for family business, but we had some contact when he arrived in Tibet. Since 26th March this year, so now for five and a half months now, we have had no contact from him. We are also trying to contact him, and asking some of his relatives about him, and also asking in monasteries, but they say that they haven’t seen him for a long time.

After I was trying hard to contact some related people – they confirmed that he and his best helper and friend in Jigmey, from Amdho Lhabdrang Monastery, 39 years old Tibetan monk that he has been detained by Chinese authorities. I am very confused as to what kind of rules they broke. I can surely say that he didn’t do it for his family, but for the Tibet cause. After that, it was confirmed to me that he had been making a documentary movie since October and that the movie was then brought to Beijing and sent on to his relative in Australia. Then I also saw the documentary after it arrived in Dharamsala. It was then confirmed to me what it was that he was doing – that was 26th March 2008. It was also confirmed to me that they were detained on 23rd March and after.

Potala Post: Did the Chinese court confirm the length of the sentence?

LHAMO TSO: No, I still don’t know, but some related people mentioned to us that they were already arrested in the Siling region, but we didn’t know why they were arrested or for how many years they are sentenced to in prison. It is unclear.

Potala Post: How many hours long in the documentary and how many people were interviewed?

LHAMO TSO: The documentary video had 35 hours actually, but after they came into exile, they made a brief version, which was 25 minutes long. Exactly 108 people from different areas of the Amdho region were interviewed. I have only seen the 25 minute-long version.

Potala Post: Can you give me a brief introduction about yourself?

LHAMO TSO: I am 36 years old, from Amdho Lhabdrang. As I said, I have four children, and the same as my husband, I had no opportunity to study when I was young. I came here from Tibet in 2006. Usually I get up at 1am to make bread to sell to help the family and his parents.

Potala Post: When your husband is here, you don’t need to worry about the family business, but now, how do you look after you family and his parents?

LHAMO TSO: As I said, we have four children and his parents are also living here in Dharamsala. I look after them. Yes, I am facing some difficulties, but the main problem is that my husband is in goal. Mentally, not physically, the pressure is very high. I not only look after my four children, I am also looking after my sister’s child, so I am effectively looking after five children, as well as his parents. His mother is 60 years old and his father is 70.

Potala Post: We have the Tibetan government-in-exile, Tibetan NGO’s, the centre for Tibetan Human Rights and the Tibetan’s Women Association. Did they help you?

LHAMO TSO: Once, the Women’s Association office called me, but up until now I haven’t had any help from those institutes.

Potala Post: How did the Chinese government track him down?

LHAMO TSO: I don’t know exactly, but he was supposed to go there and return home. Then we didn’t have contact for three months.

Potala Post: Did he predict before releasing the documentary he would get in so much trouble?

LHAMO TSO: Yes, he knew. It doesn’t mean that he doesn’t love his family and his parents. He did this for the Tibetan people and Tibet.