Watch Tibetan: Dances of the Plateau for free

Living on the Plateau, at an average elevation of over 12,000 feet above sea level, the Tibetan people are known to be compassionate, bold, candid, and devout. Most Tibetans practice Tibetan Buddhism, and just as the distinctive geographical and weather conditions in the region have influenced their dance movements, Tibetan's sacred religious beliefs and political climate have also had a significant impact. This documentary explores how the dramatic landscape of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau gives rise to dances characterized by powerful, grounded movements and expansive gestures that mirror the openness of the high-altitude terrain. This program combines both Tibetan folk dance and stage dance performances of "The Song of the Emancipated Serfs" choreographed by XU Xiaoping of China Central University for Nationalities, and "Tibetan Mystery" choreographed by YANG Liping (who also serves as lead dancer). In addition, Madam Yang provides insight into her artistic and casting choices for "Tibetan Mystery," revealing the creative process behind one of contemporary Chinese dance's most acclaimed works.