Published by: World Tibet Network News Issue ID: 97/10/23

Daryl-Lynn Carlson, The Calgary Herald, Tuesday, October 21, 1997

Tibetans who live in Calgary are applauding the recent flurry of Hollywood films about their homeland. It has given them a bigger public profile and an opportunity to educate people about oppression that is going on in Tibet, says Nima Dorjee, president of the Calgary-based Canada Tibet Committee.

Local Tibetans have been handing out flyers to Calgarians leaving movie theatres after watching Seven Years in Tibet, which stars Brad Pitt.

The Flyers provide background information about the oppressive rule that has prevailed in Tibet since it was invaded by China in the 1950s.

Movie goers have been receptive to the flyer campaign, Dorjee says.

"They seem to want to learn more," he says. "They stop and turn around and ask lots of questions."

The Tibetan community has also launched a film series about their homeland, which is showing every Sunday until late next month at the Glenbow Museum, Dorjee says.

Activities under way in Banff for the annual Spirit of Tibet celebrations have drawn more attendance than ever, Dorjee says.

All of the Tibetan communities' annual activities have been promoted and extended to heighten awareness in tandem with the showing of Seven Years in Tibet.

There are about 135 Tibetansin Alberta and nearly 700 nationwide.

Two upcoming movies about Tibet - Red Corner starring Richard Gere, which opens in Calgary Oct. 31, and Kundun, which help fuel the awareness campaign by local Tibetans.

There will be more local documentary showings and flyer hand-outs coinciding with the debut of each motion picture about Tibet, Dorjee says.