Australian Film Crew questioned by Chinese Military in Tibet

South Australian independent filmmakers, Lara Damiani and Alex Alexander, have overcome many obstacles since first deciding to make a documentary about Tibet in
November last year. The latest involved questioning by Chinese military police while filming in Tibet.

Last week, Director Lara Damiani returned from Tibet amidst restrictions and strict Chinese control to complete the final stage of filming before starting the post-
production of their documentary, scheduled for release later this year. “At one point, there was a very real fear that my tapes and camera would be confiscated. We
were driving back to Lhasa when we were stopped and questioned by a Chinese soldier for filming a bridge that was being guarded. Even more frightening were the
possible consequences for our Tibetan driver and guide. The Chinese Government has such obvious control in Tibet and an oppressive and overbearing military
presence” said Lara.

China has strict regulations on journalists and filmmakers in Tibet despite supposedly relaxing these controls prior to the Beijing Olympics in 2008. Worldwide,
supporters of Tibet will celebrate International Day of Action for Tibet on August 8th – marking a year to the start of the Beijing Olympics. “Even filming in Tiananmen
Square, Beijing – I was followed closely by police vans for every second I was there” Lara said.

The local filmmaker’s documentary “The Tibet Project – No Currency in Compassion” was inspired by the plight of Tibet and the Tibetans and a burning desire to
spread the message of Tibet in the lead up to the Beijing Olympics. China invaded Tibet in 1950, overthrowing the Tibetan government who now operate in exile in
India. Since then, more than a million Tibetans have been killed. Torture, death and imprisonment continue today. Forming their own independent film company, The
Kollectiv, Lara and Alex knew that filming in Tibet would be a potentially dangerous task. To avoid suspicion and so as not to endanger the lives of the local Tibetan
community, filming was undertaken under the guise of tourists. The documentary has been filmed in India, Tibet, China and Australia.

The documentary, which will be released on DVD and sold to national and international broadcasters, offers a contemporary look at the issue of Tibet and aims to
raise awareness that the issue of Tibet is not just about Tibet – it is a metaphor for our world. It represents the struggle against power, greed, injustice and
exploitation on a global level.

Tibet, under the guidance of its spiritual Nobel Peace Prize winning leader, represents the last bastion for a hopeful and peaceful future. Under the world’s eyes, this
land, its people and their culture are being systematically wiped out. The documentary explores whether there is hope for Tibet in a world that places such little value
on peace and compassion.


The Kollectiv is now keen to find investors with an interest in their story to help fund the post-production stage.


For more information, visit www.thetibetproject.com.


Media enquiries to:
Alex Alexander, Producer 0412 859 075 or Lara Damiani, Director/Producer 0411 628 895 or +61 8 8232 1670 or +61 8 8232 1670