By Nicole Breskin
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
GREENWICH VILLAGE — A film that documents the largest Tibetan uprising since China took control of the country in 1959 will show for the first time outside the festival circuit in Greenwich Village.
“The Sun Behind The Clouds” documents a large-scale demonstration that took place in the lead-up to the Beijing Olympics and the Buddhist monks who marched from India to Tibet to protest China’s rule.
The film opens at the Film Forum Wednesday, marking the first time the documentary will be shown in the United States outside a festival.
The film features the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan religious leader who left the country to pursue a peaceful solution to the conflict, while others have called for a more active approach to independence.
The film has garnered the support of many local organizations including Tibet House, Tibet Action Institute and Students for Free Tibet, with their representatives scheduled to attend screenings.
Filmmakers Ritu Sarin and Tenzing Sonam will participate in a question-and-answer session at several of the screenings at the West Houston Street theater. Lhadon Tethong, who is featured in the film, will speak before Friday’s screening, and Robert Thurman, president of Tibet House, will attend a show next Tuesday.
“We are a member of the world community," Karen Cooper, director of the Film Forum, said of showing the film. "The oppression of human rights is everyone’s problem — not just the oppressed.”
The acceptance of this film at the Palm Springs International Film Festival in January caused China to withdraw two movies from the event.
The film shows at the theater until April 13.
