1 March 2008

Following the popular and successful TV and DVD collaborations The Lost World of Mitchell & Kenyon and The Lost World of Friese-Greene, the BFI and BBC have co-produced a new programme The Lost World of Tibet, which will be broadcast on BBC Four on 3 March at 10.00pm. A 90-minute Director's Cut version along with additional material will be released on DVD by the BFI on 10 March at the RRP of £19.99.

Presented by Dan Cruickshank (Around the World in 80 Treasures) and featuring a treasure trove of amazing colour footage, preserved and restored by the BFI, The Lost World of Tibet reveals the story of the Dalai Lama and his secret Himalayan kingdom in a way never told before. An exclusive interview with the Dalai Lama, focusing on his early life and childhood is intercut with rare colour archive film from the 1930s, '40s and '50s as well as revealing interviews with ordinary Tibetan people, who remember life as it was before China sent in troops. This remarkable film, directed by Emma Hindley, allows us to glimpse into the rich culture of Tibet, showing us ancient ceremonies, Buddhist rituals and family life, from a time before the Tibetan people lost their country, nearly 50 years ago.

The BFI DVD release will contain the following extra features:

• 60-minute Worldwide TV version;
• Footage of contemporary life in McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala (23 mins);
• Colour archival footage of Tibetan flora and fauna (6 mins).

The disc contains optional subtitles for the hearing impaired on all items.