On the occasion of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama's 89th birthday, the documentary 'Never Forget Tibet: The Dalai Lama's Untold Story' has been released globally.
Directed by Jean-Paul Mertinez, the film provides an in-depth look at the Nobel Peace Laureate's daring escape into exile, told for the first time on film in his own words, along with the late Havildar Mander Singh, the Indian political officer who guided him to safety.
The documentary features insights from the Tibetan community in exile and individuals with historical connections to Tibet. It delves into the Dalai Lama's message of compassion and non-violence in a world facing numerous crises, exploring what can be learned from his life story, Tibetan culture, and its ancient spiritual traditions.
Narrated by British actor Hugh Bonneville and featuring music by Grammy-nominated artist Anoushka Shankar, the film is inspired by Rani Singh's book 'An Officer and His Holiness.' Produced by Compassionate Films, the documentary's executive producers include Templeheart Films, Lyndon Baldock, Gavin Patterson, and Rani Singh.
The global digital release has been facilitated in collaboration with The Italian Buddhist Union in Rome.
'Never Forget Tibet: The Dalai Lama's Untold Story' is available on major streaming platforms, including Apple TV, Amazon, and Google Play.
The film recounts the events of 1959, when Chinese troops suppressed the Tibetan national uprising in Lhasa, leading to the Dalai Lama and over 80,000 Tibetans fleeing to India and neighboring countries. The Dalai Lama endured a perilous three-week journey to reach India, where he initially resided in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand, for about a year.
On March 10, 1960, shortly before moving to Dharamsala, which now serves as the headquarters of the Tibetan government-in-exile, the Dalai Lama emphasized the importance of resettlement and preserving cultural traditions for Tibetans in exile. He expressed hope that Tibetans would ultimately regain their freedom.
Today, the exiled Tibetan community, along with the Dalai Lama, continues to live in Dharamsala, striving to maintain their struggle for complete autonomy in their Chinese-ruled homeland.