Film Screening: Valley of the Heroes

The UCLA Program on Central Asia presents a film screening with director Khashem Gyal on "Valley of the Heroes," which tells the story of Tibetans fighting to preserve a vanishing language.

Valley of the Heroes offers a rare glimpse at a pivotal moment of cultural and linguistic transition among Tibetans and Muslims in Hualong County, a remote community in Amdo, Tibet, part of what is now eastern Qinghai Province, China. Over the past several decades, Tibetans living in Hualong have experienced rapid cultural shifts accelerated by language loss – today more than 30% are unable to speak their own native language. The film spends time with an assortment of village residents and elders who reflect on the changes taking place in their community, and also documents a unique Tibetan language program that is attempting to address the situation.

A film by Khashem Gyal.

In association with the Kham Film Project

Khashem Gyal graduated from Qinghai Nationalities University with a major in Tibetan Literature. He is a key member of the Plateau Photographers and founder of the Amilolo Film Group, dedicated to educating young Tibetans about digital video production and encouraging a new generation of Tibetan filmmakers. Khashem Gyal has directed numerous short films about Tibetan life and culture. Valley of the Heroes is his first full-length documentary film.

Visit Valley of the Heroes website for more information.

http://international.ucla.edu/asia/centralasia