Tibet: Cry of the Snow Lion

Tibet: Cry of the Snow Lion is a 2002 documentary film about the Chinese occupation of Tibet directed by Tom Peosay. It is narrated by Martin Sheen and Tibetan voiceovers are provided by Edward Edwards, Ed Harris, Tim Robbins, Susan Sarandon and Shirley Knight. This film won the "Audience Award for Best Documentary" at the 2003 Santa Barbara International Film Festival.[1] It was also the 2003 "Official Selection" at Toronto International Film Festival, Seattle International Film Festival and Los Angeles Film Festival.[1][2]

A Los Angeles Times movie reviewer wrote, "the most comprehensive and devastating documentary yet on that tragic country, ends with a note of optimism from the Dalai Lama in the face of the suffering and oppression of his people. (...) Since the Chinese invaded Tibet, which has a population of 6 million, in the wake of the Communist Revolution more than half a century ago, an estimated 1.2 million Tibetans have died in the course of a brutal occupation, and approximately 3,000 people risk their lives every year hiking over the Himalayas to escape."[3]

The New York Times review stated, "impeccably made, often moving account of the captive nation of Tibet, forcibly annexed by China more than 50 years ago. (...) in fact, the monasteries were systematically destroyed by Chinese military forces in the late 1950’s and early 60’s. (...) A more concise and affecting summation of the Tibetan crisis would be hard to imagine."[4]