The Clash of Sino-Tibetan Propaganda On-screen: A Case Study of
Tibetan Exile Movie Theatre

J 2025

The Clash of Sino-Tibetan Propaganda On-screen: A Case Study of Tibetan Exile Movie Theatre

ŠPIRK, Martin

Basic information

Original name

The Clash of Sino-Tibetan Propaganda On-screen: A Case Study of Tibetan Exile Movie Theatre

Authors

ŠPIRK, Martin

Edition

Iluminace, National Film Archive, 2025, 0862-397X

Other information

Language

English

Type of outcome

Article in a journal

Field of Study

60304 Religious studies

Country of publisher

Czech Republic

Confidentiality degree

is not subject to a state or trade secret

References:

URL

Organization unit

Faculty of Arts

DOI

https://doi.org/10.58193/ilu.1804

EID Scopus

999

Keywords in English

Cinema; documentaries; Central Tibetan Administration; Tibet Museum; propaganda

Abstract

In the original language

Different self-presentation strategies constantly compete on the battlefield between two propagandas 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 oppression and destruction of Tibet, environmental and human rights issues or the role of the 14th Dalai Lama and Tibetan Buddhism.

Links

GA23-06406S, research and development project

Name: Reprezentace a role tibetského buddhismu v narativech o Tibetu od roku 1950 do současnosti

Investor: Czech Science Foundation, Representations and Role of Tibetan Buddhism in Narratives about Tibet from 1950s to Present

Cite

ŠPIRK, Martin. The Clash of Sino-Tibetan Propaganda On-screen: A Case Study of Tibetan Exile Movie Theatre. Iluminace. National Film Archive, 2025, vol. 37, No 1, p. 27-47. ISSN 0862-397X. Available from: https://doi.org/10.58193/ilu.1804.

@article{2502723,
   author = {Špirk, Martin},
   article_number = {1},
   doi = {https://doi.org/10.58193/ilu.1804},
   keywords = {Cinema; documentaries; Central Tibetan Administration; Tibet Museum; propaganda},
   language = {eng},
   issn = {0862-397X},
   journal = {Iluminace},
   title = {The Clash of Sino-Tibetan Propaganda On-screen: A Case Study of Tibetan Exile Movie Theatre},
   url = {https://iluminace.cz/artkey/ilu-202501-0003_the-clash-of-sino-tibetan-propaganda-on-screen-a-case-study-of-tibetan-exile-movie-theatre.php},
   volume = {37},
   year = {2025}
}

TY  - JOUR
ID  - 2502723
AU  - Špirk, Martin
PY  - 2025
TI  - The Clash of Sino-Tibetan Propaganda On-screen: A Case Study of Tibetan Exile Movie Theatre
JF  - Iluminace
VL  - 37
IS  - 1
SP  - 27-47
EP  - 27-47
PB  - National Film Archive
SN  - 0862397X
KW  - Cinema
KW  - documentaries
KW  - Central Tibetan Administration
KW  - Tibet Museum
KW  - propaganda
UR  - https://iluminace.cz/artkey/ilu-202501-0003_the-clash-of-sino-tibetan-propaganda-on-screen-a-case-study-of-tibetan-exile-movie-theatre.php
N2  - Different self-presentation strategies constantly compete on the battlefield between two propagandas 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 oppression and destruction of Tibet, environmental and human rights issues or the role of the 14th Dalai Lama and Tibetan Buddhism.
ER  -

ŠPIRK, Martin. The Clash of Sino-Tibetan Propaganda On-screen: A~Case Study of Tibetan Exile Movie Theatre. \textit{Iluminace}. National Film Archive, 2025, vol.~37, No~1, p.~27-47. ISSN~0862-397X. Available from: https://doi.org/10.58193/ilu.1804.

Přehled o publikaci