Yangzom Brauen - Biography

Yangzom was born and raised in Bern, the capital of Switzerland. Completing her studies in Europe's prestigious University of Theater and Music in Bern, she started working in independent theater projects in Switzerland and Germany. Shortly thereafter, she was cast and guest-starred in a well-known Swiss sitcom 'Manne Zimmer' for National Swiss Television Network. Yangzom's career would take off establishing her as a well-known actress starring in many Swiss and German TV Shows as well as in movies such as 'Cargo', the first Swiss sci-fi movie and 'Laenger Leben', a Swiss Comedy. She received her Hollywood breakthrough when she won the role of "Inari" in the Sci Fi film, Aeon Flux, starring Charlize Theron. She then decided to move to Los Angeles to pursue her acting career in the States. Yangzom's acting vocation aside; she has always been extremely active and vocal in the Tibetan Freedom movement. After being arrested in Moscow for protesting the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, she became famous in Europe not only as an actress but also as a fearless non-violent freedom fighter for Tibet. The press have called her 'The Dalai Lama's Angel', 'Mother Courage', 'Rebel Queen', 'A strong woman with lots of history' and so on. She continues with her acting career but has been fierce in her support of the Tibetan cause.

In 2008 she wrote her first book, which became an instant bestseller in Germany and Switzerland 2009-10. 'Across Many Mountains' is a memoir about three generations of Tibetan women: Yangzom's grandmother, her mother and her own story. The book has sold over 100,000 copies in Germany and Switzerland, and was on Europe's Spiegel Bestseller list for over 40 weeks. 'Across Many Mountains' got published in March 2011 in England and Australia with Random House UK. The North American publishers of the book are St.Martin's Press in New York and in France, Press de la cite. Her book has also been published in Holland, Italy and Finland and will be released throughout Europe as 2011 progresses.