Leaving Fear Behind is an exceptional film made by Tibetans inside Tibet who took great risk to document the true feelings of Tibetans living under Chinese occupation.

UPDATE: Jigme Gyatso (known as Golok Jigme) was re-arrested by Chinese authorities on March 10, 2009, the day that Tibetans in Tibet and around the world marked the 50th Anniversary of the 1959 Tibetan National Uprising.

Defying all odds, their stories of courage, determination and hardship were smuggled out of Tibet on the eve of the historic uprising that spread across the Tibetan plateau this past spring. Dhondup Wangchen, the filmmaker was arrested in TIbet in March 2008 and remains in prison. His friend and cameraman, Golok Jigme, was also arrested in March 2008 but released in October 2008. However, he was recently re-arrested as Chinese authorities escalated their security clampdown in Tibet in advance of the 50th anniversary of the 1959 Tibetan National Uprising.

The film is a powerful tool to highlight the voices of Tibetans inside Tibet. Watch the film online now.

ORGANIZE A SCREENING
March 10, 2009 will mark 50 years since Tibetans rose up to protest China's invasion and occupation of their homeland. How a screening between now and March 10, 2009 to raise awareness about the situation inside Tibet  and inspire people to take action in the lead up to the 50th Anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising.

Leaving Fear Behind Film Screening Kit:
SFT's step-by-step guide to organizing a screening of Leaving Fear Behind.

Download the complete Film Screening Kit (zip file - 17.5MB)

STEP 1: Order a copy of the film! Fill out the form below or contact: grassroots@studentsforafreetibet.org or call 212-358-0071. We are asking for a $10 donation to cover the costs of printing and shipping the DVD, please specify "Leaving Fear Behind " in the "In Honor Of" field.

STEP 2: SFT's Film Screening Kit contains resources on how to organize a successful screening.

Download the complete Film Screening Kit (zip file - 17.5MB)

The Film Screening Kit includes:

1-Intro to Leaving Fear Behind
2-How to Organize a Screening
3-Leading a Discussion and FAQ

4-Outreach Poster in black & white (pdf)

5-Outreach Poster in color (pdf)

7-50th Anniversary Flyer (doc)

8-50th Anniversary Flyer Color (pdf)

9-50th Anniversary Flyer Black & White (pdf)

Materials to pressure for the release of Dhondup Wangchen:

10-Advocacy Letter

11-Petition for the release of Dhondup Wangchen

• Copy the petition and advocacy letter in the Film Screening Kit and organize a letter-writing party at your school or in your community.
  
• Spread SFT's online Action Alert calling for the filmmaker's release.
• Download a fact sheet about the filmmakers and the circumstances surrounding their detention. Update: Golok Jigme was released in October 2008 back to his monastery in eastern Tibet. He is currently under surveillance, read more.
• Phone and lodge a complaint with Wu Aiying, China's Ministry of Justice in Beijing: (86) 10 652 067 06. Dhondup Wangchen is believed to be held at the Ershilipu Detention Center in Xining, Qinghai Province. Please also call and request his immediate release: (86) 97 153 119 82.
  Note: China is 12 hours ahead of EST
  

BACKGROUND

Dhondup Wangchen, the film maker and his camera assistant and friend Jigme Gyatso (commonly known as Golog Jime), a monk from eastern Tibet, interviewed over 100 Tibetans, starting in October 2007. Filming concluded in March 2008, as a historic uprising against Chinese rule in Tibet erupted across the country, bringing new meaning to the voices and sentiments captured in this film.

After being brutally beaten and tortured by Chinese authorities Golog Jigme was release on October 15 back to his monastery in Labrang Tashikyil. He was warmly received by the monks at the monastery and nearby Tibetans who reportedly thanked him for making the film. He is currently under surveillance by Chinese authorities and it is not clear if his charges were dropped. Read the press release about Golog Jigme's release.

China's crackdown against the mostly peaceful protests that spread across Tibet last March continue today, with thousands of Tibetans still detained, imprisoned, or missing. As Tibetan areas remain largely closed off to foreigners and journalists, getting information out about the situation on the ground is increasingly difficult, making it even more important that people worldwide hear the voices of Tibetans speaking in this film.

For more information about the film, go to: www.leavingfearbehind.com