"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

NEW YORK MAGAZINE

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

Nine to Watch

Simplifying Tribeca.

Published Apr 13, 2008

Fire Under the Snow
Makoto Sasa’s timely documentary traces the Chinese occupation of Tibet as seen through the eyes of Buddhist monk Palden Gyatso, who was imprisoned for 30 years and brutally tortured. Gyatso’s unwavering faith in the face of horrific circumstances would make for essential viewing in itself, but it couldn’t be more relevant now: News coverage that takes you right up through the current global strife over the 2008 Olympics in Beijing bookends his story perfectly. –S.C.

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