"Heartfelt look at the resilience of the human spirit."
LA Times, Susan King
"Gyatso is engaging, charming, and riveting his story horrifying."
ABC News, Nancy Ramsey
“starstarstarstar”
"Powerful doc"
Time Out Magazine, Drew Toal

PAPER MAG

Posted on Jan 25, 2010 Last Updated Jan 25, 2010 Posted by Makoto

Monday, January 25

Bevy Smith Gears Up for the Tribeca Film Festival

By Bevy Smith

 

FIRE UNDER THE SNOW
With all the turmoil going on in China surrounding Tibet’s fight for independence, this film is sure to garner a lot of attention. It tells the story of Palden Gyatso, a Tibetan Buddhist monk who was one of thousands of monks and nuns arrested during non-violent demonstrations when China invaded Tibet in 1959. Released from prison in 1992, he still crusades to this day for total Tibetan independence from China, and was involved in a hunger strike at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy to protest the 2008 Bejiing Olympics. Taking Reverend Al’s mantra of “No Justice, No Peace” to another level!

News & Press


“They seemed an unlikely pair — the Tibetan Buddhist monk who had spent 33 years in Chinese prisons and labor camps and the aspiring Japanese filmmaker.”

Daniel E. Slotnik , New York Times

"If you think you're lost, you're lost. If you think you're a winner, you're a winner."

…said Palden Gyatso, as he was trying to explain to us the secret to his inner strength.

Rachelle J. Hruska, Guest of a Guest


“Gyatso’s unwavering faith in the face of horrific circumstances would make for essential viewing.”

Sara Cardace, New York Magazine


“****”

“Powerful Doc”

Drew Toal,Time Out Magazine


“A harrowing and inspiring film.”

Justin Lowe, Hollywood Reporter


“Heartfelt look at the resilience of the human spirit.”

Susan King, LA Times


"Fascinating and frightening documentary.”

Andrew O’Hehir, Salon.com


“Taking Reverend Al’s mantra of ‘No Justice, No Peace’ to another level!”

Bevy Smith, Papermag


"Gyatso is engaging, charming, and riveting his story horrifying."

Nancy Ramsey , ABC NEWS


“***”

“Be warned: The opening ceremonies for the 2008 Olympics might look a little different if you see Makoto Sasa's disturbing documentary beforehand. “

Elizabeth Weitzman, Daily News


“Well-crafted docu...Makoto Sasa contrasts the horror of the story and the serenity of its teller for dramatic impact”

Ronnie Scheib, Variety