Calling all Water Warriors!
The filmmaker is amenable to indie screenings of this film by activist, educational or non-profit groups. Contact via email with details of your website, and data about potential screening (audience size, projection format details, possible dates).
Educational Uses
Meltdown in Tibet has been screened at campuses in North America and Europe. This has been arranged either through student impetus (special presentation with Q&A), or through presentation by the instructor (particularly in the field of geography). The documentary has also been screened for some high-school students (age 14+) and at museums and public libraries. There is currently no Study Guide available for the film, but this website contains over 55 questions to stimulate discussion, as well as an array of maps and background material related to water issues in Tibet.
Indie Screenings
Indie screenings are done via DVD, available in three formats:
Standard Def
The SD DVD is available in both NTSC and PAL versions, with 40-minute and 12-minute versions on the same disk. The standard definition is highly compressed—it will look better if played on a Blu-ray deck or HD deck.
High Def
HD DVD format disk in 40-minute and 12-minute versions can play back through most Mac computers, but some Mac models may show jerky playback or even freezing, depending on the hardware installed. The HD DVD disk can be projected from that computer onto a much larger screen through DVI or HDMI inputs, giving high-definition resolution. The HD DVD will also play back through a Toshiba HD deck or similar.
Blu-Ray
Blu-ray format high-definition disk in 40-minute and 12-minute versions can play back on a Blu-ray deck or from a PC laptop Blu-ray player. Either device can be linked to a much larger screen, giving high-definition resolution. However, only high-end Blu-ray players can process these disks. The Blu-ray-format DVDs are known to be compatible with these models::
- Panasonic DMP BD80 + DMP BD60 + DMP BD35
- Sony PlayStation 3 (PS3)
- Sony BD-PS360 + BD-PS300 but only if updated with latest firmware upgrades
- PC laptop with Blu-ray reader installed
Contact
contact Michael Buckley or Lesley
meltdown451 (at) yahoo.com
screening in translated versions
Meltdown in Tibet has been translated into several languages by Tibet support groups, including Korean, Japanese, French and German versions. Because the English narrator speaks quite quickly, it is not advisable to translate with subtitles. The best option is to produce another language voice-over and dub that over the top of the English narrator (volume reduced), while retaining background music and sound effects. The last part of the documentary, with several interview subjects, can be left in the original English with subtitles added.
BRIANCON, Les Hautes Alpes, France, July 30, 2010
French version by Claude Levenson, also chairing the post-screening debate. Event hosted by Briancon05Urgence Tibet as part of special Tibet Week, July 25 to 31
GREENPEACE MUNICH, Germany, July 16, 2010
German translation by Tibet Initiative Aktion, which is using this as part of a broader environmental campaign for Tibet.
TOKYO, Japan, September 5, 2010
NAGANO, Japan, June 19, 2010
Japanese version of Meltdown in Tibet, with guest speaker Ken Noguchi, alpinist and environmental activist.
The Japanese version of Meltdown uses sub-titles throughout.
SEOUL, Korea, May 11, 2010
Korean version screening at Duriban. Hosted by Rangzen Korea. The evening kicked off with songs by Tibetan singer Tashi. The Korean-language version of Meltdown in Tibet with Korean narrator (transferred to DVCam 64-minute tape) was played back on a DVCam projector—screening onto a large white sheet on the wall. Followed by director Q&A and beer all round.
Screening in...
AHMEDABAD, India, July 7-10, 2010
—series of four films on Tibet presented by the Alliance Francaise, and by the Foundation for Universal Responsibility of HHDL
WAGENINGEN UNIVERSITY, Studium Generale, the Netherlands, June 14, 2010:
—presentation by Ymke Koperberg, student of International Land and Water Management
BANGALORE, India, May 5-8, 2010:
at mini Tibet Film Festival hosted by TCV and Choekhorsumling Tibetan Buddhist Meditation & Study Center
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS, USA, April 8, 2010:
—Presentation by OMNI Center for Peace, Justice and Ecology, with a series of five documentaries dealing with different environmental and human rights issues.
WELLINGTON, New Zealand, March 10, 2010:
Wellington Central City Library: presentation of Meltdown with Q&A, on the anniversary of the March 10 Lhasa Uprising of 1959.
organized by Tibet Solidarity Network, Tibet Nomad Aid Trust, Amnesty International, and 350
VICTORIA, BC, Canada, March, 2010:
At the University of Victoria
hosted by SFT Canada, which plans to screen Meltdown at campuses across Canada.
PORTLAND, Oregon, USA, March 13, 2010:
hosted by the Northwest Tibetan Cultural Association
Paired up with the documentary Murder in the Snow
NEW CANAAN, Connecticut, USA, March 6, 2010:
Q&A with Sandra Ross, board member of US Tibet Committee.
Screening two films related to major environmental issues in Tibet:
Meltdown in Tibet (Canada) plus Undercover in Tibet (Channel 4, UK)
AUROVILLE, Tamil Nadu, India, February, 2010:
special showing for TCV students at the Pavilion of Tibetan Culture
hosted by Claude Arpi
BANGKOK, Thailand, February 16, 2010:
At the Foreign Correspondents Club, with Q&A following screening
ANGKOR, Cambodia, January 23, 2010:
at the Foreign Correspondents Club in Siem Reap. Open-air screening on wall next to outdoor bar, with cicadas providing additional sound effects. A short Q&A post-screening, followed by live blues band.
ORLEANS, France, March 13, 2010
Soiree Tibet: Q&A with noted Tibet and human rights authors Claude B Levenson and Jean Claude Buhrer
LES HOUCHES, France, February 19, 2010:
Lions des Neiges Mont Blanc, screening as part of Tibetan New Year (Losar) celebrations.
MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE
Tibetan activist Tenpa Dugdak from Australia sent this label — which he plans to put on bottled water distributed at festivals and events
(click to enlarge)
BRISBANE, Australia, January 27-31, 2010:
Festival of Tibet
Under the auspices of Australia Tibet Council.
Blue Mountains, NSW, Australia, November 20, 2009:
Screening hosted by Sakya Trinley Ling—Tibetan Buddhist dharma activities group. Meltdown in Tibet paired with The Unwinking Gaze (feature film about HH the Dalai Lama). Q&A session with environmental scientist Dr Simon Bradshaw and Tibetan activist Tenpa Dugdak.
COPENHAGEN, Denmark, December 9, 2009: 5pm
Across town from COP15—the Copenhagen Climate Change Summit:
Meltdown in Tibet + Q & A with Charlotte Matthiasen and John Isom
(presented by Tibet Film Festival and Tibet Third Pole)
Grand Teatret, Mikkel Bryggers Gade 8, 1460 Copenhagen. www.grandteatret.dk
An in-depth look at the 'meltdown' of the glaciers and permafrost on the Tibetan Plateau and the Himalayan region and its global impact,
threatening the water supply for millions downstream across much of the rest of Asia.
HOSTED BY:
LONDON, UK, December 4, 2009: 9am-6.30pm
Cineforum — Climate Change: Mapping the Path to Ecotopia
Wallacespace, 22 Duke's Road, London WC1H 9PN
Tibet Film Festival will be hosting a series of sessions at this COP15 related climate change event in London including film screenings, a
photography exhibition and a discussion panel on the theme of 'Tibet Third Pole'. One of the highlights will be Michael Buckley's film
'Meltdown in Tibet'. This presentation will be followed by panel discussion with Dr Sonali Joshi, John Isom and Matt Whitticase.
From the Cineforum website www.cineforum.co.uk —
The Cineforum on 4th December 2009 is an innovative conference approach combining powerful documentary films, insights from avant-garde thought leaders and cross-disciplinary workshops. A seminal event taking place in London contributing to COP15, Cineforum will be presenting paradigm-shifting strategies and solutions for the years ahead. The Cineforum is designed to enhance understanding through embedded learning strategies and help you identify and shape your own part in co-creating a positive vision of a sustainable, fair and ecologically sound future: Ecotopia.
Screening in Oslo, Norway, October 5, 2009
Successful Seminar on "Climate and environmental challenges in the Himalayas" and screening of film "Meltdown in Tibet" in Oslo.
report by Øystein Alma, Voice of Tibet (8.10.2009, Oslo)
Monday 5 October, in Oslo, the Norwegian Tibet Committee and The Norway-Nepal Association invited for an open Seminar on "Climate and environmental challenges in the Himalayas".
The Seminar attracted a packed hall at the Norwegian House of Litterature in Oslo, where a number of experts were invited to speak on issues and research related to climate and environmental challenges in the Himalayas, with special focus on issues related to Tibet. The seminar was organized in connection with the upcoming International Climate Conference in Copenhagen (COP15) in December.
Among the speakers were Deputy Minister Mrs Heidi Sørensen, from the Norwegian Ministry of Environment and Mr. Halvor Dannevig of the CICERO Center of Climate Studies. The Deputy Minister started her presentation by voicing her concern for Tibet's environment and consequences of climate change for the region.
Mr. Lobsang Dhargyal, a Tibetan having lived in nomad areas of Tibet till 2007, gave a presentation on the Chinese authorities' repressive policies towards Tibetan nomads, and its social and environmental implications. "Forcing half a million nomads to slaughter and sell most of its livestock and resettling them in bleak villages, has huge social and environmental consequences", Mr. Dhargyal stated. He further stated that "it not true what the Chinese authorities say, that the nomads historic use of the grasslands dries out the soil. In fact the nomads and their animals use of the grasslands is very important to the sensitive ecology of Tibet. These policies are implemented for the Chinese to gain further control of the nomads in Tibet and to make way for mining and hydro projects."
All the speakers agreed that the Himalaya region, by many referred to as the "Third Pole", is very sensitive to global warming and climate change. The mighty rivers in Asia, most of them sourced in Tibet, are at great risk of rapid receding. Such a scenario will have enourmous consequences, not only for Tibet and the Himalayan region, but for hundreds of millions of people living further downstream.
After the presentations, and a Questions and Answer session, the documentary film "Meltdown in Tibet" was shown. This film raises disturbing questions of the "politics of water in Tibet." A trailer of the film can be viewed at: www.MeltdowninTibet.com and made a huge impact on the audience.
With the program hosts, Mr. Olav Gunnar Ballo and Mrs. Chungdak Koren of the Norwegian Tibet Committee, committing themselves to future work and focus on environmental issues related to Tibet and the Himalayan region, an engaged and disturbed audience could leave the three-hour-long Seminar.
Screening at inSpiral Lounge, London (UK), August 26, 2009
hosted by SFT UK
Dance 4 Tibet is a Unity Vibes charity event in support of Students For a Free Tibet. With Tibetan food delicious traditional recipes — the inSpiral way. Documentary "Meltdown in Tibet" by Michael Buckley blows the roof off China's catastrophic environmental plans at 8pm. Dance in unity from 9pm to the eclectic grooves of DJs RISKITEK and FURIUS 23.
SFT UK is taking Meltdown on tour to various spots in the UK in early 2010
as part of a new campaign Students for a Green Tibet.
SHOWTIME
Indie screening of Meltdown in Tibet at Chai Gallery, Vancouver, on July 25th, 2009. This event was hosted by zany Vietnamese-Canadian engineer Hung Nguyen, who is deeply concerned by the impact of Chinese mega-dams on those living downstream—particularly in Vietnam's Mekong Delta. At Chai Gallery, buffet dinner was followed by Meltdown film presentation with Q&A, and continued on into the night with live music—and Hung playing Vietnamese lute. Hung is planning another indie screening of Meltdown for the Vietnamese community, to be shown at a Vietnamese pagoda.
