The Clash of Sino-Tibetan Propaganda On-screen : A Case Study of Tibetan Exile Movie Theatre
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| Year of publication | 2022 |
| Type | Appeared in Conference without Proceedings |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
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| Description | On the battlefield between two propagandas, different self-presentation strategies are constantly competing using various media. Documentary films and 'docudramas' are among the most used persuasive tools to convey and disseminate a specific worldview through the mediation of selected information and analysis. The target audience of the films is influenced by techniques to maximize the effect of propaganda, including the emphasis on the credibility of the information conveyed, specific truth claims concerning the topic discussed, and, finally, the very nature of the visual message itself, which gives the impression of an authentic depiction of reality. Based on previous research on self-presentation strategies and an analysis of the propaganda of the Tibet Museum in Dharamsala, India (which is under the direct supervision of the Central Tibetan Administration/CTA and the Dalai Lama), this case study focuses on the movie theatre located in the mentioned institution and the films screened daily. Through a discourse analysis of the documentaries and 'docudramas' that the CTA has selected for their cinema, this paper aims to explore the preferred narrative perspectives on the history of Sino-Tibetan relations and other motives, like the call for freedom/autonomy for Tibet and an end to political repression, economic marginalization, cultural assimilation or environmental destruction. In conclusion, the purpose of this paper is to juxtapose these narratives with Chinese-produced films and show the complexity and dynamics of this propaganda battle. |
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