Vienna, 14 September 2024 – Despite continuous heavy rains, the highly anticipated premiere of the movie Amala: The Life Struggle of Dalai Lama’s Sister was successfully held at the Cine Center movie theatre in Vienna. Sixty people, including members of the Tibetan diaspora and human rights advocates, braved the weather to attend the event, which shines a spotlight on the hardships faced by Gyalyum Chenmo, the Dalai Lama’s mother, and the struggles of her family under Chinese rule.
The screening served as more than just a cinematic experience. Outside the theater, members of the Tibetan diaspora distributed flyers highlighting ongoing human rights violations in Tibet. These flyers emphasized China’s repressive policies, forced assimilation through educational reforms, and the destruction of Tibetan culture.
After the movie premiere, the audience attended a virtual talk delivered by Chemi Lhamo, a representative of the International Tibet Network Steering Committee. Lhamo provided a comprehensive overview of the human rights abuses that Tibetans continue to face under Chinese occupation, elaborating on how the CCP has intensified efforts to erode Tibet’s cultural and spiritual identity.
The film, which chronicles the resilience and sacrifices of Gyalyum Chenmo and her family, offers an emotional and educational journey into the realities of the Tibetan people’s fight for cultural survival. Attendees were visibly moved, with many staying after the event to discuss both the film and the broader human rights concerns in Tibet.
This Vienna screening is part of a larger campaign aimed at raising global awareness of the ongoing situation in Tibet, urging international communities to take a stand against China’s actions in the region.
Amala is more than a story of struggle; it is a call to action, urging viewers to recognize the Tibetan people’s continuing fight for justice and dignity.
