Movie: Kundun (1997)

Tuesday 7 June 2011

Kundun (1997)
Director: Martin Scorsese


Writer: Melissa Mathison
Stars: Tenzin Thuthob Tsarong, Gyurme Tethong and Tulku Jamyang Kunga Tenzin.



Storyline


The Tibetans refer to the Dalai Lama as 'Kundun', which means 'The Presence'. He was forced to escape from his native home, Tibet, when communist China invaded and enforced an oppressive regime upon the peaceful nation of Tibet. The Dalai Lama escaped to India in 1959 and has been living in exile in Dharamsala (India) ever since.


Some Curiosities about this movie:

- Director Martin Scorsese, writer Melissa Mathison and her then husband Harrison Ford (yes, its the famous actor...) were added to the list of over 50 people banned from entering Tibet because of this film.

- Features only non-professional actors.

- The Dalai Lama and his family were portrayed by actual relatives of the Dalai Lama himself, now living in refugee in Dalamsala as well as abroad. Tenzin Thuthob Tsarong who played the adult Dalai Lama is his grand nephew.



 Notes:

- Dalai Lamas are the most influential figures in the Gelugpa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism.

- For certain periods of time between the 17th century and 1959, the Dalai Lamas sometimes directed the Tibetan government, which administered portions of Tibet from Lhasa. The 14th Dalai Lama remained the head of state for the Central Tibetan Administration ("Tibetan government in exile") until his retirement on March 14, 2011. He has indicated that the institution of the Dalai Lama may be abolished in the future, and also that the next Dalai Lama may be found outside Tibet and may be female.

-  Tenzin Gyatso won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989.

- Tenzin Gyatso is the religious name of the 14th Dalai Lama,  shortened from Jetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso.



I've seen this movie a few days ago, I found it very interesting, so I decided to share with you friends.

Basically, it tells the story of the 14th Dalai Lama (called Tenzin Gyatso), since his chilldhood to his Exile to India. It also tells a lot about Tibet's culture and a very important period in this country's history.

Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.



Here is the trailer:








 
-Ricardo Silva 12ºB