By Tenzin Lekdhen
DHARAMSHALA, Jan. 25: Days after Hollywood star Keanu Reeves was announced to be performing at the Tibet House’s Annual Benefit Concert, Chinese nationalists have called for the boycott and censorship of his highly anticipated movie The Matrix Resurrections, the latest instalment in The Matrix series.
The Tibet House US (THUS), is a New York-based “Cultural Embassy”, first founded in 1987 at the request of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to preserve and ensure the survival of Tibetan culture and civilization. The Annual Benefit Concert was first initiated to celebrate “the Tibetan New Year. Traditionally celebrated with two weeks of festivities in Lhasa This celebration has continued for more than 30 years up until last year, which, due to the pandemic, have shifted on to a virtual space. This year’s concert, the 35th Annual Benefit Concert, will also be held virtually due to the rising cases of the Omicron variant of the virus.
This year’s line-up, headlined by Keanu Reeves was announced on 20 January by THUS and gained traction after Rolling Stones picked up the story. Chinese nationalists and fans have since criticised the superstar for agreeing to perform at a Dalai Lama-associated concert. According to SupChina, a Chinese user on Weibo wrote in Chinese, “I used to be a fan of Reeves not only because he has Chinese heritage. But apparently, we hold different views on Tibetan issues and it’s no brainer for me to stop liking him because of that.”
Another user in Chinese wrote, “I am going to shut you down! There are no idols more important than the country.”
The John Wick star might see a fate similar to other stars and icons censored by China for interacting with the Dalai Lama or speaking out against human rights abuses in Tibet and other colonised regions. Brad Pitt, Richard Gere, Martin Scorsese, Lady Gaga, Harrison Ford are some of the many celebrities and politicians are banned by China for supporting the Dalai Lama and Tibet.
NBA player and Boston Celtics’ centre Enes Kanter is one of the recent stars censored in China for speaking out against the CCP’s human rights atrocities and suppression of freedom in Tibet, East Turkestan, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.
16 Responses
Those who help victims, it actually encourage victims to survive on this earth. They are selfless because they know that supporting Tibetan cause would jeopardize their career. However, great people always stand for the truth and do not afraid of false repercussion.
I support Keanu and HH Dalai Lama’s efforts to free Tibet, Tibetans, seeking the recovery of their homelands. They should be financially compensated for the damages and theft of resources by China’s CCP. Why do nations trade with China at all? If you trade with China you are colluding.
Keanu is a right guy, with good intentions. The Chinese government is anything but that. Free Tibet! ☮️🙏
Tickets for the 2022 Tibet House US online benefit concert can be purchased via the Tibet House website: https://thus.org/benefitconcert/
Join Keanu and many others in taking a stand for Tibetans, who have no voice for themselves on their own soil, due to the 70+ year ethno-genocide of Tibetans by the Chinese Communist Party.
So nice to see someone with integrity.
I fully support Keanu and celebrities speaking out against Chinese government suppression of human rights in Tibet, east Turkestan, Hong Kong and Taiwan
You can get tickets on line March 3 , via Mandolin
I support anyone that supports human right and go against the Chinese govt wishes. I considered them as hero of our nation!!
Thank you Keanu! Tibet has never been a part of China and never will be! China stop the genocide in Tibet! Free Tibet! China out of Tibet Now!!
I support His Holiness, The Dalai Lama. I support any celebrity who has the strength of character to stand up for him. Keanu Reeves, Harrison Ford, Brad Pitt, LadyGaga, Martin Scorsese, Richard Gere; all of them. And, I have Chinese friends.
super stars who value and stand up for democracy/freedom/liberty/justice and truth are the the real hero in real life;not just on big screen.I am not saying others are coward but apparently scared of losing their job and career,indeed., under ccp’s influence and pressure.Sadly.
The CCP is an irresponsible and incompetent government.
I support Keanu, the Dalai Lama and Tibet!
I support H H Dalai Lama,and Tibet freedom !
I also support Keanu, the Dalai Lama and Tibet
I support heroic Keanu and all brave celebrities who speak out for the Dalai Lama,Tibet, and all lands being suppressed by China