The main purpose of this Tibetan Refugee Documentary Project is to use video-documentaries to raise and enhance awareness about the situations of Tibetan refugees.

The media context of the Project is that mass media outlets tend to avoid much criticism of China's activities in Tibet. Some of China's critics, meanwhile, use the Tibet issue merely as an excuse to bash China, without careful attention to Tibetans or their goals. Many supporters of the Tibetans, on the other hand, idealize Tibetans uncritically, in what has been called Shangri-la syndrome. The Tibetan Refugee Documentary Project will consist of three documentaries. Pre-production of Volume Two began in 2002.

About the documentary and its director,His Holiness the Dalai Lama has a message. He says, to each friend of the Tibetans:

"Mr. Tanaka, now he carries some research or study about the true situation of Tibet.
So, he has, gains much more knowledge. Therefore, his presentation and also the video,
I think, can help to increase your (viewers') awareness about Tibet. So, I really appreciate
Mr. Tanaka, your effort. And then, through that way, I try to share some of my concern
with those viewers. Thank you very much."

* Interview with TANAKA Kunihiko, [Dharamsala, India ; Apr. 29, 1999].