International acclaim and Local News

Welcome. On this blog you will find writings and videos on topics of Asia & human rights issues. Please feel free to comment on anything and follow me on Twitter! "Until they become conscious they will never rebel, and until after they have rebelled they cannot become conscious" - George Orwell - 1984 Praise for our documentary 'Train to Lhasa':- "Great work, this is really cool to see as an outsider. We really see nothing of Tibet" - jamminthedayaway | "Thank you for making this documentary video. The outside world needs to see what China is doing inside Tibet - to Tibetans" - TibetArchive | "By far the best up and close video tour of Potala palace. Enjoyed watching it. Great job." - tnyima | "I look forward to watching the other parts and to the day when such videos can be viewed in the Middle Kingdom without censorship" - Wizenedcompass | "Just can't wait to visit my birth place! I am crying watching this. Thank you for your lovely video" - Yiney86 | "Very informative documentary that definitely shows what China is doing in Tibet - doing to Tibetans" - TibetArchive | "I was completely captivated by this... i hope to travel to Tibet at some point in the future. Thank you for the amazing look into that area and keeping awareness on this mostly ignored part of the world" - spdybike | "Amazingly real, thank you" - lauriwarmigu | "China is dissolving Tibetan life and culture from every angle. Wow, thank you." - werspansio | " Thank you for this video and it's really sad to see how the Chinese government treats the Tibetans" - adamtashi | Praise for our documentary 'Across the Plateau':- | "Well done and very interesting. I've enjoyed all your documentary parts so far, each one better than the previous one. Congratulations!" - stonetube1000 | "Thank you, these videos filled my eyes with tears and I love my country Tibet. We need more support from the world. Thank you for these beautiful and rare pictures" - adamtashi | "Thank you for making this documentary and for not exposing any Tibetan people you talked to, as you know the consequences" - TibetArchive | "Thank you so much. I felt like I was traveling with you guys and seing all those holy and beautiful places. Thanks for this documentary and your support for Tibet" - 123klpd | "Thank you so much for uploading these amazing videos" - yangphel | "Impressive!" - venuschampagne | "I enjoyed it so much! I'll be going to Tibet and this is very helpful!" - marikojacinto | "Thank you my dear brothers. Your beautiful hard work has contributed to the betterment of humanity and of course helped in attaining equality, justice and respect for basic human rights and cultural freedom. On behalf of all humans who ever lived and will live, I thank you" - Iknowtibet | Praise for our documentary 'Through the Himalayas':- "Thanks for sharing. I will be heading to Nepal and Tibet in October and this series has given me an insight of what to expect" - leimaogowchor | "Great series!! Really enjoyed it! Thank you!" - stonetube1000 | "We're heading to Tibet and Mount Everest base camp next month! We're so happy to see such a detailed video, with lots of good advice along the way. Thanks guys!" - venuschampagne | "Thank you so much. I was able to travel to Tibet sitting right here in my room. My heart breaks for the Tibetan people. Thanks for going and for posting your videos" - Bunten3123 | "Wow what a beautiful world, Tibet. I appreciate both guys who filmed these. You guys are lucky to see Tibet- just hoping one day I will go back to my country, Tibet. Good luck on your journey" - norbu1987 | "Great job guys.... it was beautiful... and you guys are so lucky to see all those holy places.... all the best...thanks for supporting Tibet and keep up the good work..." - 75jampa | "Thanks a lot for a wonderful movie - all my family watched it. It is amazing. Peace and hugs" - rusbolt75 | "Great! Thank you for your courage and your determination in doing this documentary! We Tibetans and friends of Tibet are grateful. Thu je nang and Kadrinche!" - ChoeJhungLhaMola | To watch the acclaimed series online, just CLICK HERE

Tuesday, 21 August 2012

Tibet represented at the Isle of Wight Film Festival 2012

Train to Lhasa - Part One of a series of short Tibet travel documentaries currently hosted on the Free Tibet website, - was chosen to open the International Short Film strand at the Isle of Wight Film Festival this year. The film, shot and produced by Island filmmaker Joe Briscoe and his American travelling partner, Derek Smith, details the spectacular journey of a tourist across China on the recently completed train line. The railway, the highest in the world, funnels Chinese workers directly into the ancient Tibetan capital of Lhasa - a method which Beijing uses to justify their occupation of Tibet. Once the filmmakers arrive in Lhasa, they use secretly filmed footage to show the conditions under which people live their daily lives - with armed soldiers patrolling the streets, and sniper rifles constantly aimed at them from surrounding rooftops.

Director Joe Briscoe (2nd from right) outside the Sacred Cinema, Ventnor.

Local media, including the County Press and hyperlocal site Ventnor Blog, attended the screening which took place during the Ventnor Fringe Festival.

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County Press, Friday 24th August 2012, "Weekender" pg.20

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Film tackles Tibet controversy

Review from the County Press website

By Harry Tiley

Friday, August 17, 2012

ISLE OF WIGHT FILM FESTIVAL
QUITE apart from tackling a controversial subject matter — the Chinese presence in the Tibetan city of Lhasa and the effects of the 2008 Tibet riots — this documentary brings much more to the table than textbook controversy.

Filmed in short, illuminating bursts, Derek Smith and Isle of Wight filmmaker Joe Briscoe, narrate and present a world plagued by poverty and oppression in their film Train to Lhasa.

The audience gains a real sense of the pervasive nature of the Chinese occupation of Lhasa and through a haunting soundtrack and cleverly cut handheld footage, the film captures the intense and ever-present fear that hangs over the city and its native culture.

This inspired short — shown as part of this year’s Isle of Wight Film Festival — provided shocks and chills on both a political and emotional level for its audience and is not to be missed.

Saturday, 17 March 2012

March for Tibetan Freedom, London 2012 - Report 3/3

THE THIRD of three reports filmed during the March for Tibetan Freedom which took place in London on Tibetan Uprising day 2012.

Stephanie Brigden, director of the London-based 'Free Tibet' organisation, spoke to Joe Briscoe about the urgent situation in Tibet, and outlines the steps the UK should be taking to help:

"In many ways this is Tibet's spring" she said. "We've seen it in Egypt, we've seen it in Libya, it's taking place in Syria - this is now Tibet's spring. It's the time for the British government to stand behind those Tibetan people and to speak out."