The Chinese government has sentenced Tibetan filmmaker Dhondup Wangchen to six years in prison for producing a documentary film about the plight of Tibetan refugees.
Wangchen’s 2008 documentary Leaving Fear Behind showcased the opinions and feelings of ordinary Tibetan people about the Dalai Lama, China’s policies in Tibet and the Olympic Games. According to reports, Wangchen and his partner Golog Jigme managed to smuggle the film to the outside world in March of 2008. On that same day Lhasa city erupted into mass protests against unpopular Chinese rule.
Wangchen’s attorney Li Dunyong said his client was tortured during interrogations, and sustained injuries that still caused him to suffer. Wangchen’s wife, who lives in exile, say he has hepatitis and that his basic medical needs are not being met in prison.
You can watch a clip from Leaving Fear Behind above. Though banned in China, the film is available to watch (in three parts) on YouTube.
[Via: Boing Boing]
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