Documentary Chronicles Tibet Crusade

China has forcefully occupied Tibet, its tiny neighbor, since invading it in 1949. Since then China has done its best to destroy Tibet’s Buddhist culture. In recent years the plight of Tibet has become a cause celebre among the rich and famous, but their protest has done little for the Tibetans.

The protest nonetheless continues. Its latest manifestation is “Free Tibet,” an alternately silly and sublime documentary that chronicles the San Francisco Tibetan Freedom Concert, a two-day event organized in 1996 by the Beastie Boys that was held in Golden Gate Park and drew 100,000 people.

Featuring 20 performances, “Free Tibet” is not, however, a concert film in the manner of “Woodstock” or “The Last Waltz.” Rather, it focuses on educating the viewer about the history and state of affairs in Tibet.

Interspersed with concert footage are interviews, archival film, news footage and information about the Milarepa Fund, an organization dedicated to promoting nonviolence. Founded by Erin Potts and Beastie Boy Adam Yauch and named after an 11th century saint who brought enlightenment through music, the Milarepa Fund is the recipient of all profits generated by “Free Tibet.”

Yauch’s commitment to Tibet seems genuine and moving, and he’s smart enough to know that the mightiest tool he can bring to this cause is music. He’s recruited an impressive lineup for the festival, which opens and closes with solo acoustic numbers by the redoubtable Beck. From there we segue to the Foo Fighters, who sound as if they belong in a suburban garage, a snippet of rap from De La Soul and blues courtesy of Buddy Guy. Along the way, Buddhist scholar Robert Thurman (Uma’s dad) weighs in, and we spot Yoko Ono, the mother superior of the avant-garde, watching from the wings.

The Beasties turn in a typically high-voltage set, and Japanese rappers Cibo Matto screech. Pavement’s batteries seem to run down over the course of their one song, Smashing Pumpkins acquit themselves admirably and the Red Hot Chili Peppers are fabulously over the top.

Then comes a dreary string of rap acts with the collective effect of a herd of elephants plodding slowly across the veldt; one recalls nothing but the thud. Turning in the strongest performance is Icelandic vocalist Bjork. Bouncing around the stage like a sunbeam as she delivers a strange tune called “Hyper-Ballad,” Bjork has the range of Yma Sumac and the inscrutability of a Buddha. She is astonishing.

Much in the film is unintentionally hilarious. Observing the roiling bodies at the lip of the stage, a Tibetan monk chirps, “They’re very happy!” Despite this seal of approval, there’s something weird about celebrating Tibet with a mosh pit.

We see a Tibetan patiently explaining the theory of karma to an incoherent stoner, and a Tibetan nun who innocently exclaims, “The devotion to music here is amazing! In my country this kind of gathering only happens for spiritual occasions.” A particular favorite is the head-banger who cheerfully declares: “I care about Tibet and everything, but I got a short attention span.”

If the future of the free world is in the hands of kids like this, I’m, like, totally bummed.

* Unrated. Times guidelines: suitable for general audiences, though the subject matter probably won’t appeal to young children.

‘Free Tibet’

The Shooting Gallery presents a Milarepa Fund production in association with Mammoth Pictures. Directed by Sarah Pirozek, executive produced by Jay Faires and Adam Yauch. Also featuring Sonic Youth, Richie Havens, John Lee Hooker, Rage Against the Machine and A Tribe Called Quest. Cinematography by Evan Bernard, Roman Coppola, Spike Jonze and others. Supervising editor Paola Heredia. Running time: 1 hour, 30 minutes.

* Playing exclusively at the Showcase Cinema, 614 N. La Brea. (213) 312-6605.