Escape from Tibet

During the weekend of the Tashi Lhunpo monks’ visit to Sibford  last October, we watched excerpts from the ITV documentary film Escape from Tibet at the film-makers’ reunion, 30 years after the film was made. We were privileged to welcome the film crew to the village hall, where they commented on their experiences. The true story is of two brothers who made the ultimate journey, on foot over the Himalayas, to escape Chinese repression, and the ‘boys’ were also here, now happily settled in the UK, thanks to the aid of Nick Gray, the film producer/ director.

Many of the viewers asked to see the film in its entirety, and this was made possible last Saturday, 18th January, when Nick and Lobsang (known as Tenzin in the film) returned to Sibford. It was wonderful to see the transition from the bewildered little 11 year-old to the confident academic, only too happy to answer questions about his experience and indeed the situation now existing in Tibet. Books and DVDs were sold in aid of the Tibet Relief Fund for the victims of the Tingri earthquake, and together with donations, the sum reached £260.

Lobsang scattered the remaining sand from the Tashi Lhunpo monks’ mandala round the Jubilee tree in the village hall field (see photo). The monks had been unable to disperse the sand due to the weather at the October weekend.

Many thanks to Tim Huckvale, who was responsible for the film screening, and to everyone who helped with the afternoon. I have had many comments on how deeply shocking, touching and thought-provoking the film is.

Diana Hughes