Tom Sepe shaves his head in solidarity with the people of Tibet:
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Wes Brain, from the Brain Labor Report, interviews Tom Sepe on June 3rd, 2008
The Brain Labor Report is live every morning M thru F for 1/2 hour at 7:00 a.m. through the awesome community services of KSKQ, lpfm radio in Southern Oregon. They can be listened to each morning on the internet, via streaming radio is.
Personal Note from Tom Sepe:
My first day in India, and I was already overewhelmed… but not in a bad way. I was delighted and amused and feeling alive and fully charged up for the task at hand. Of course I had no idea what I was getting myself into! The next three weeks was a whirlwind of interviews and video shoots and running around and jumping on taxis and trains and busses (ok so we missed our train but that’s another story) - Protests and candle-light vigils, and monks chanting and schoolchildren grabbing our shirts and mule carts and tuk tuks and temples and heat and rain and sun and sore feet! Plus a cascade of amazing connections and friendships that have only just begun!
And as I’ve now returned from India.. and am looking at the 40 video tapes in front of me… and thinking about months of editing.. I am really asking myself.. “What have I gotten myself into!!! But I’m still ecstatic and inspired. I feel incredibly lucky to be taking on this project. I’m really hoping that we get some funding (as I’ve spent just about every last dime on this project at this point!) and we are working on a promo video and written proposals toward that goal. I’m very optimistic.
I’ve been working for days now trying to get this new blog and forums installed! Whew! What an incredible time we live in. The tools available to us… wow. At the same time a bit daunting… Doing the best I can here.. I hope it looks good!
Things are going incredibly well. We are getting some great interviews! We just interviewed Dr. John Powers - checkout his book “History as Propaganda: Tibetan Exiles versus the People’s Republic of China”
We also interviewed Mary Gendler, who has been doing non-violent training here in India with the Tibetans for over 15 years! She was also close with the King family and involved with the March on Selma.
A few nights ago we did an audio-only interview with 6 ex-political prisoners - Tibetan Monks that had all been tortured and imprisoned by the Chinese Government. They did not want their faces to be shown for fear that the Chinese Governement will persecute their families back in occupied Tibet.
In addition we have been befriended by a wonderful couple here - Ronny and Rebecca Novick. Rebecca works for KPFK radio in Los Angeles, and Ronny does video documentary work. They have a fantastic website: http://thetibetconnection.org
Together with Ronny and Rebecca we are going to create a website “tibetin49seconds.org” where we will have a youtube video contest for people to submit their 49 second videos on the subject of Tibet. Stay tuned on that one…
I’m excited to start the editing process. We are starting to review some of our tapes while here…. its been such a whirlwind!
We are planning a couple of screenings here this week, one at KhanaNirvana Cafe, to share some of the footage from San Francisco - I think the Tibetans will get a kick out of seeing the thousands of protesters in SF as well as hearing the inspirational words of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. (see video below)
Anyhow that’s the update… We are still planning more interviews and some trips to some monasteries… stay tuned!
Tom
here’s is a video of Desmond Tutu speaking on April 8th in SF. By SazzyV (My footage is in the process of being transcoded!)
Hello Friends!
(For further updates, I’ve set up a mailing list. Please visit this page: sepeblog.com/free-tibet/ to sign up.)
Just a quick update to let you know that I have arrived safely and without hassle in McLeod Gange, the small town above Dharamsala, India this morning!
WOW.
Hard to believe that a couple weeks ago I was asking for assitance, and now the help of my community has sent me to the heart of the Tibetan exile community. Its thrilling and unbelieveable!
Andrea and I just had a fantastic brainstorming lunch and are developing and clarifying our vision for the project.
Before leaving I was able to get some great footage of the Olympic Torch Protests in SF, as well as the Tibetan Fredom Torch Candle light Vigil where Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Richard Gere as well as many other incredible people spoke… not to mention the GG bridge action and the March To Tibet event in SF at 1015 Folsom. I’ve also already done about 10 interviews before I even got here! Its amazing how this is all unfolding! Big shoutout to Heather Hill for assisting with filming and for Caylee Sitz for rockstar support.
I’ve posted a couple things on my youtube page:
Laurel Sutherlin Speaks @ 1015
Karsh Kale Interview with Wasfia Nazreen
So again I send my thanks! YOU are all making this possible and I encourage all of you to find out more about the Tibetan’s situation, to spread the word, and to take actions of solidarity so that this non-violent movement for freedom can suceed. For the sake of the Tibetan’s and for the sake of all people who care about peace and justice.
Namaste!
Tom
Dear Friends,
I writing to you to ask for your assistance. I am going to Dharamsala to collaborate with Andrea Vecchione, on a video documentary of recent events involving the Tibetan struggle for independence. Our goal is to document current events as they unfold by connecting with first-person accounts. Andrea is already there laying the groundwork. I am hoping to leave as soon as possible. I am standing up in solidarity with the people of Tibet against the cultural genocide enacted by the Chinese Government.
I have received partial funding to travel to India, however I am in need of funds for equipment and expenses. Therefore I am calling out to my community, to raise about $2000 for a prosumer HDDV camera, extra batteries, etc as well as part of my plane ticket.
Any Donation will assist in this endeavor. Every bit counts and will add up in the end. What’s 20 bucks?
Please, if you are able to assist me, the cause of the Tibetan people, and the struggle for truth and peace worldwide, know that my work is in service to this. Contributions can be sent to me via PayPal: thomas@tomsepe.com or by check and snailmail:
Thomas Sepe
430 Ashland St
Ashland, Or 97520
Thank you for your time and attention
Namaste,
Tom Sepe
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