In Dharamsala, India, where thousands of Tibetan refugees have fled in search of freedom, this project began as a documentary but gradually evolved into a participatory video workshop. Tzu Tung initially arrived to document the lives of exiled Tibetans but soon realized they could not speak on behalf of others. In response, the project shifted into a mutually empowering process—while refugees told their own stories, Tzu Tung listened and learned.

Most of the students were in their twenties, yet their lived experiences were worlds apart. The workshop focused on the fundamentals of storytelling and filmmaking using only smartphones and basic editing apps. Tzu Tung taught participants to storyboard their narratives—structuring scenes with an introduction, climax, and resolution. These accessible tools became gateways for self-expression and cultural resilience.

During one session, while most students quietly sketched with black pens, one asked specifically for a red pen. He used it to illustrate a powerful moment: his brother being arrested and tortured by communist police. In the drawing, his brother remains in prayer, showing the insistence of compassion to his oppressors through unwavering devotion to the Dalai Lama. This seemingly simple act served as a poignant reminder that color, gesture, and storytelling are inherently political—and that belief itself can be an act of resistance.

While Tzu Tung offered guidance, they also received something invaluable in return: stories of strength, dignity, and faith.