Description

Highlights from the BFI National Archive's extensive collection of films shot in Tibet prior to the Chinese occupation can now be seen in the BBC/BFI co-production, 'The Lost World of Tibet' (2008). Featuring a potent interview with the Dalai Lama an extended version the documentary is available to buy on DVD from the BFI Filmstore - http://filmstore.bfi.org.uk/acatalog/info_7836.html These extraordinary scenes were filmed in Tibet in the 1940s and include shots of the current Dalai Lama (then still a very young boy) and his family. The opening scenes show the Dalai Lama's parents and siblings, and a procession of high-ranking men and women. This is followed by a clip of a procession with the Dalai Lama in a golden palanquin, his presence indicated by the peacock feather umbrella being carried alongside. The final scenes, in contrast, show ordinary children dancing and ice-skating in Lhasa. You can now watch over 20 hours of films made in Tibet between 1922 and 1949 in the Mediatheque at BFI Southbank. These include the films of plant hunter and botanist George Sherriff (his love of nature is reflected in the remarkable jewel-like colours of his films); James Guthrie, a Medical Officer who - among rather more important things - removed a cyst from the eye of one of the Dalai Lama's peacocks and Frederick Bailey: Political Agent, butterfly collector and spy. http://www.bfi.org.uk/mediatheque

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http://www.videopediaworld.com/video/38662/Scenes-in-Tibet-1940s--extracts


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