NCTV and The Leeds Kouch Krewe Presents:
Wednesday Films at Eight

July 7th, 8:00 pm
Home to Tibet – by Alan Dater and Lisa Merton – (60 minutes)

The What: Welcome to the new summer documentary film series, Wednesday Films at Eight, an eight-week broadcast of award-winning documentaries produced (mostly) close to home, but taking place around the world. The films you will see range from a look at the beginnings of break dancing in the 80’s (Electric Boogie) and the recent transformation of a run-down neighborhood through community gardening (City Farmers) to adventures taking place in far away places; Deerfield stone mason Sonam Lama re-united with his long lost relatives (Home to Tibet) and a young Canadian rides his bicycle from the southernmost tip of South America to the Arctic Ocean. (Long Road North)
These are films that are both new and old. Some were made as recently as last year, while others go back to the early eighties. While the series includes a wide range of topics, the films are united in spirit by a sense of wonder and possibility and a commitment by the filmmakers to explore the world and what makes it tick.
The films range in length from half an hour to an hour and a half. Every evening will present at least an hour of film. This series is enthusiastically presented to you by the Leeds Kouch Krewe, a small but dedicated committee of NCTV producers and film lovers.
The When: Wednesday nights at 8 PM, beginning on July 7th, 2010.
The Where: NCTV – Northampton cable channels 12 &15
The Why: Because these are great films that you probably haven’t seen! We welcome suggestions for future programming.

Program details

July 7th, 8:00 pm
Home to Tibet – by Alan Dater and Lisa Merton – (60 minutes)
Home to Tibet is a rare view into the world of Tibet and its people. Interweaving archival footage, interviews, and scenes from intimate family interactions, the film follows the journey of the exiled Tibetan stonemason, Sonam Lama, from his home in Massachusetts to his occupied homeland for the first time since his escape 12 years earlier. In preparation for an uncertain entry into Tibet and the dangers he may face there, Sonam visits Buddhist holy sites in India and Nepal and receives a private audience with the exiled Tibetan leader, the Dalai Lama. When he finally reaches Lhasa, he is reunited with his sister. The bleakness and repression of Tibetan life under occupation shocks Sonam and prompts him to take action. With the words of the Dalai Lama in mind, his sister and cousin decide to send their young daughters to be educated in the Tibetan exile community in India. Their decision is a story of hope -- the hope of the Tibetan people to preserve their culture and way of life and to secure a future for their children.