Kundun

Rating:
Summary: Interesting, off beat Scorsese film
Review: The majority of director Martin Scorsese's best liked movies have been about criminals or about people full of anger and potential violence. These include "Casino", "Goodfellas", "The Color of Money", "Taxi Driver", "Mean Streets" and his masterwork, "Raging Bull". He also made the brilliant, turn of the century romance, "The Age of Innocence".

"Kundun" is his second attempt to tackle a spiritual subject. The first was "The Last Temptation of Christ", arguable the most controversial movie ever made about Christianity. It was so provocative, at least in theory, that it was never shown in many cities and towns.

Covering the life of the last Dalai Lama of Tibet from childhood to his exile, "Kundun" created a controversy of a different sort. It was deemed politically incorrect. Several decades ago, Tibet, which for a thousand years had been independent and peaceful, was taken over by the Communist Chinese. They slaughtered many civilians, as well as Buddhist priests and nuns, claiming they were simply taking over a distant part of China. The survivors were 'reeducated.' Today, Tibet exists only as a mythical, fabled land , which was ruled by the Dalai Lama, its spiritual leader. The people believed that this man was reincarnated over and over again. Whether you believe that or not, the important thing is that Tibetans believed that all problems could be solved by peaceful means.

Because China, as well as the rest of the world, are so much changed these days, the making of this movie was deemed by them to be insulting. In truth, "Kundun" dwells on the end of grand traditions more than it does on the moral values of the invaders. So, I suppose the controversy arose because, while China has changed drastically, it has no intention of letting go of Tibet.

It is an unusual motion picture, taken down a notch or two for a reason I will get to in a minute.

You will note that I have listed no cast credits. The posters for the film didn't either. This is because Scorsese, attempting to be as faithful as possible to the story, cast mainly actors of Tibetan heritage. These people came from two acting groups, one in New York, the other in India. The main character is well played by Tenzin Thuthob Tsarong. Since all of the names of the performers are equally exotic, they would be meaningless in selling the film to the public.

Philip Glass, a renowned composer of modern classical music, wrote a film score that fits exactly what the stunning visuals show.

From the standpoints of photography, music, and set and costume design, the film is a work of art. Unfortunately, Scorsese, like many other famous directors, took on a story which he appears not to have known how to approach. Steven Spielberg had the same problem with "Amistad", only to turn around and unleash the astounding "Saving Private Ryan" on an unsuspecting public.

In "Kundun", I felt that all its beauty could not overcome Scorsese's inability to bring real emotional power to subject matter that demanded him to do so. This makes it rather like an elegant coffee table book. That's the heavy, oversized kind of book filled with stunning photos and art. People rarely read the text in such a volume. With this movie, it is difficult to tell whether the its artistic merits overwhelmed the story or whether the story would have come off even less involving without the lavish trappings.

Rating:
Summary: A film that obviously elicits controversy and emotion
Review: It's amazing, glancing over the first page of reviews, the wide range of love/hate opinions on this film. I don't actually feel terribly "qualified" to review this, since I don't actually know any of the history of China and Tibet and the life of the Dalai Lama, like many people here obviously do. I bought the film mainly because of the Philip Glass score and the hope that I could get a start in learning more about the Dalai Lama and Buddhism. In that sense, I think the film succeeds in bringing to the audience a glimpse of the life of a Buddhist monk and the environment where the Dalai Lama lived and grew up.

The critics are asking for the movie to explore issues and areas that are really not within the realm of possibility considering the time frame and the style of storytelling...

The music fits perfectly to the absolutely beautiful images found in every frame of the film. The editing and camerawork are amazing, and convey an emotional impact without hitting you over the head. Philip Glass is Philip Glass, and his score is just what you would expect if you are familiar with his music, and he does pepper his normal arpeggios and pulses with Tibetan instruments and sounds, to a very effective degree. If you find that distracting, go listen to your John Williams CDs.

Many of the images reminded me also of the films Koyaanisqatsi and Powaqqatsi, also scored by Philip Glass, and Baraka. I just got my notification that Koy. and Pow. are being released in Septemeber on DVD after a REALLY long wait. If you enjoyed Kundun, and liked the glimpse into the spirituality and different culture of Tibet, then you owe it to yourself to check those other films out as well.

Rating:
Summary: Skewed vision.
Review: A lot of criticism levelled at 'Kundun' seems to fall into 2 categories. For some purists the movie is far too Hollywood, while for a lot of movie-goers, it's just not Hollywood enough. For one not familiar with Tibetan history, 'Kundun' gives a very one-sided view of events that occured at that time. The Tibetan hierarchy are portrayed as predominantly passive and peace-loving, seemingly free from any kind of authoritarian thinking. This may have been misleading. Martin Scorsese has admitted himself that he is not an authority on Tibetan history and the fact that the production of the film was overseen by the Dalai Lama himself gives some indication as to how the film was to convey a very specific outlook.

One could be forgiven for thinking that Tibet had all the vastness of Rhode Island, so centered is the film on the small, enclosed world of the Dalai Lama's upbringing. Bernardo Bertolucci's 'The Last Emperor' was much more successful at conveying the political intricacies that surrounded it's subject. For an objective viewpoint 'Kundun' is not the film to see.

On the other hand you have to ask yourself would the same amount of cynicism be aroused if this film was based around a major figure in Judaism, Christianity or Islam.

Having said all that, from a purely cinematic point of view 'Kundun' glows with beautiful cinematography, a spellbinding score by Phillip Glass and some pretty believable performances by previously non-actors.

Rating:
Summary: Despite Flaws, an Elegant Portrait of the Dalai Lama
Review: While Buddhism is often little more than an Orientalist fascination with many Americans, "Kundun" is one film, despite its hint of shangri-la reverence, which successfully depicts the core values of Buddhism--nonviolence, compassion, discipline--in a truly positive way. A far better film than the ambitious but ignorant "Seven Years in Tibet," this surprise wonder from Martin Scorsese harmonizes a breathtaking tapestry of art, color, and landscape with a soaring score by composer Philip Glass. Although the Dalai Lama is not completely depicted as an everyday man, the actors portraying him exhibit an infectious and stoic charm. As a young Buddhist myself, I was touched by the film's many observations of human life, and was moved to tears by the measured depiction of Chinese cruelty against the Tibetans. Many lines are taken directly from actual Buddhist prayers and are delivered with sincere inspiration. Although the film may be difficult to follow for those unfamiliar with Buddhisms core tenets, it is nonetheless a visual and emotional experience. One need not know the symbolism of sand mandalas to savor their image draping across the screen like bright rainbows. For those who are curious to learn about the Dalai Lama, as well as the plight of the Tibetan people, "Kundun" will no doubt be a worhthile and unforgettable experience.

Rating:
Summary: One of my favorites
Review: I am a big Martin Scorsese fan. I have liked almost every single one of his phenomal films (although I'm not so sure about "Bringing out the dead" but I could be wrong) but the thing I liked more about this film is the topic. I am a strong Buddhist who follows the Dalai Lama, and this movie fascinated, captivated, and moved me. Like I said before, I like this film not so much as a film, but because of the topic. This is a complete departure from the streets of New York, for Scorsese, I still think "Raging Bull", "Taxi Driver", "Goodfellas", "The King of Comedy", "Life Lessons" and almost every other film he made are some of the greatest films ever made. The music, natural acting, photography, this world now gone, and emotions are completely fascinating and touching. I have seen this movie countless times. However, some won't like it, because this is not the typical Scorsese where you can relate to the characters, but I am sure that this movie will inspire most about the great Dalai Lama. So just forget everything, and be prepared to be taken to a whole new world, like none other seen before and I am sure that you will love it. It is a pity that this film was a flop, and was dominated by Hollywood "Titanic."

Rating:
Summary: A story worth telling in part
Review: 'Kundun' features an amazing and sympathetic cast of Tibetan nationals, many of them Buddhist monks and none of them professional actors and actresses. The story of the Dali Lama is the story of these people. Scorsese tells that story episodically with heroic cinematography (courtesy of Roger Deakin, Director of Photography and winner of Best Cinematography awards for 'Kundun' from the New York Film Critics Circle and the Boston Society of Film Critics, with Moroccan landscapes standing in for the Tibetan), but like the Buddhist image of a finger pointing at the moon, the movie can only allude to the crush of cultural, political and spiritual forces shaping the Dali Lama's life. Similarly, the movie's caricature of Mao Tse Tung is sinister and unnerving, but un-real in its single, Andy Kauffman-like dimension. The movie's portrait of the Dali Lama -- and of his nemesis, Mao -- is inevitably incomplete, but it supports the movie's operative sense that a story worth telling is worth telling in part ... In contrast, the minimalist sound track by Philip Glass puts a distracting staccato rhythm on top of the narrative's epic sweep, proving that -- in addition to being *more* -- minimalist compositions can be *too much.* Simply put, Glass' music succeeds less well than it did for 'Koyaanisqatsi.' ¶ 'Kundun' is distributed by Disney, which -- perhaps by now -- has opened an amusement park in China. To placate the Chinese government, which was unhappy about the movie, Disney is said to have promoted 'Kundun' less broadly than its other films. And in fact, as a result of making 'Kundun,' the Chinese government has banned Scorsese from travelling to Tibet.

Bob Niles

Rating:
Summary: The "Sense" of video
Review: With Kundun, Scorsese has accomplished a remarkable feat: he has created a movie that evokes more than it tells. His images create a true gestalt in that collectively they are far greater than the sum of their parts. Beautifully filmed, with a stunning score by Philip Glass, Kundun tells the story of the first few decades of the current Dalai Lama's life (from the time he was recognized as a small boy, through his flight to exile in India). What is extraordinary about Kundun is how much Scorsese is able to tell by NOT telling it, or by relying upon almost miraculous imagery. There are scenes in this movie that are absolutely breathtaking, and images and events that will touch you deeply, and break your heart.

Kundun is able to accomplish all this by creating a real sense of what the story "feels like" rather than what it is about. Using a full cast of Tibetans, including members of the Dalai Lama's own family, and gorgeous locales, Scorsese truly lets you feel what it was like to be at every step of the Dalai Lama's incredible journey. One can almost sink into the rich tapestry of color and sense that the film weaves around it's subject.

If you're looking for a movie with quick plot, fast action, and quaint or curious characters, this movie is not for you. If you're willing to let yourself fall into the mood and world that Scorsese faithfully, and astonishingly recreates, then this will be one cinematic event you will never forget.

Rating:
Summary: Aristotle Would Call This Film "Epideictic Rhetoric"
Review: Some novels, films, plays, poems, sculptures, music, dances, and paintings are meant to entertain us in various ways, and some are meant to alter our outlooks on the world we live in. This film belongs to the latter category. Specifically, it's an instance of what Aristotle called "epideictic rhetoric"--a work constructed to make us respect and admire (or disrespect and look down on) some person(s) or thing(s). In this case, as most reviewers notice, most of us come away feeling that we greatly respect and admire the Dalai Lama, who has developed into a highly enlightened and compassionate person DESPITE (or because of) great adversity. While our govt. has eagerly sucked up to Red China (which is guilty of "human rights abuses" against its own citizens as well as Tibetans), Martin Scorsese courageously unmasks the villains--none of that "most favored nation" stuff for him (which is why Red China has singled him out and forbidden him to go to Tibet). The film is genuinely touching and beautifully filmed. My only fault-finding with it is that the current Dalai Lama is presented as being IN FACT a reincarnation of the previous Dalai Lamas. Although I've been a Buddhist for over 40 years, I don't believe in reincarnation and doubt that many other viewers of this film--Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, atheist, etc.--do either; this COULD have been presented as part of a "belief system" and not as a "factual" condition. (Next time you watch one of the 57 different film versions of the crucifying of Jesus, look to see whether the director's approach is naturalistic or supernaturalistic and how that makes a difference on the impact. And look for the same factor next time you watch the Indiana Jones films, which are meant to entertain us. That may partly explain why the second of these films, which uses a non-Judeo-Christian array of beliefs as FACTUAL is usually rated lower than the other two.)

Rating:
Summary: A visual and musical poem of an important religious leader
Review: Because of his place in American Pop Conciousness, the Dali Lama too often suffers from shallow treatment and cartoonish representation because of his association with famous personalities. In reality, he is a serious religious figure and deserves serious treatment. This movie is a serious and, I think, beautifully poetic attempt to tell the story of his youth through his escape from Tibet into exile as the Communist Chinese closed their grasp on his sad homeland. The images are powerful and the Philip Glass score supports the visual means of telling the story very well.

I have no idea how much of the miraculous nature of the selection of Kundun as the Dali Lama or his remembering of his previous lives is based in perceived reality or is just poetry, but certainly the Dali Lama deserves some iconographical treatment.

For me, a most powerful scene occurs when Kundun has his last conversation with Mao and finally realizes his betrayal. In this scene Mao tells him that religion is poison in a most callous and condescending manner. In this, I see the emptiness of modern materialism and its inability to see anything of value in the spiritual and traditional. There is blindness in materialism's view favoring the new and the present as necessarily being progress over the past. It sees technology as always an improvement (it is the flip side of the coin of those who believe that all technology is soulless and evil).

This isn't an adventure film and certainly nothing like Scorsese's more famous and violent films. But I think he has accomplished something beautiful here and I have enjoyed watching it several times.

"Seven Years in Tibet" tells the same story a bit differently and less poetically and has the complication of the Brad Pitt's character being, well, a Nazi. But I think seeing both movies adds to one's understanding rather than seeing either of them alone.

Rating:
Summary: Hearbreaking & Breathtaking History Lesson... a Must See
Review: My review is simple; watch this film but know that it IS NOT your typical piece of "entertainment."

Yes, as others have stated it is inordinantly beautiful visually. But that is not the only reason for watching it. We all have heard about the Dalai Lama in exile and and his wisdom and charm. But this movie is about the part of his life most Westerners know very little (if anything) about. From his testing as a toddler to decide if he was the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama and his subsequent removal from the sole care of his parents to his teenaged dealing with being both spiritual leader to and student of the the elder Bhuddist Monks and their later, but still while he was quite young, flight to safety and exile from a homeland that they are clearly deeply connected to. I found this film deeply moving and yes enlightening.