Photo: Nancy Pelosi from San Francisco, CA / CC BY 2.0 (source: Wikimedia Commons)
My Take
Dhondup Wangchen is, for me, a name that demands a different kind of attention. A Tibetan filmmaker imprisoned by the Chinese government in 2008 over his documentary Leaving Fear Behind, he turned journalism and directing into acts of resistance rather than mere expression. The 2012 CPJ International Press Freedom Award and the 2014 Václav Havel Prize are recognition of real courage, not box-office charm. I love entertainers, but I believe we have a duty to remember people who picked up a camera knowing it could cost them their freedom. He earns more than admiration here, he earns reverence.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Dhondup Wangchen
- Name (Japanese)
- トンドゥプ・ワンチェン
- Reading
- とんどぅぷ・わんちぇん
- Born
- October 17, 1974 (age 51)
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Libra / Tiger
- Origin
- Hualong Hui Autonomous County, People's Republic of China
- Occupation
- journalist / screenwriter / film director / actor / resistance fighter
2. Background
Awards & achievements
- 2012 CPJ International Press Freedom Awards
- 2014 Václav Havel Prize
- Courage Award
4. Personality
Motto
Private
6. Links
Frequently asked questions
When was Dhondup Wangchen born?
Born October 17, 1974 (age 51).
Where is Dhondup Wangchen from?
Dhondup Wangchen is from Hualong Hui Autonomous County, People's Republic of China.
What does Dhondup Wangchen do?
Dhondup Wangchen works as journalist, screenwriter, film director, actor, resistance fighter.
Journalist — see all → · Screenwriter — see all → · More people from People's Republic of China →
7. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-02
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.