'Moving Images of Tiananmen Massacre Come to Bombay'
(By Anupam Dasgupta, DNA | May 29, 2006)

The screening of a documentary film on June 4, 2006 in Bombay will mark the 17th anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square tragedy in China.

The organisers - 'Friends of Tibet' and two social organisations - said it was for the first time the ' Tiananmen issue' was brought out of Dharamshala, the abode of Tibetans in India, seeking a larger audience. Titled 'Tiananmen: The Gate of Heavenly Peace', the film, directed by Richard Gordon and Carma Hinton, reflects the drama and tension which led to the final crushing of protests by the Chinese Government.

"It is for the first time that the city will host any programme remembering the Tiananmen tragedy. The earlier commemorative events (held for the last three years consecutively) were held in Dharamshala. Friends of Tibet National Coordinator CA Kallianpur told DNA.

CA Kallianpur of Friends of Tibet speaks to the gathering on March 10, 2006

"Since public memory is short, the screening of the film is intended to remind people about the ruthlessness with the massacre at Tiananmen was carried out," Kallianpur added. The film tries to explain how the hardliners within the then government took on moderates, including students, intellectuals and a section of the working class.

"The documentary will also portray how voice of moderates were stifled by the extremist elements in the then Chinese government," said a Friends of Tibet activist.

The filmmakers had spent six years working on the project and finished in 1995.

'Remember Tiananmen' was organised by Friends of Tibet (India) in association with Indian Liberal Group and Freedom First at YMCA, Colaba, Bombay on June 4, 2006.