Simple story of young monks and few old exiled monks and their lives. Soccer is explained to the Abbot as countries fighting over a ball (Different perspective). America is spoken of favourably. This movie touched me in many ways. I had grown up in places like this, visited places like this all my life, though not Dharmasala.
People can live in peace. Will we ever learn? Presence of the menacing Chinese Dragon is alluded to but no statements are made as to the politics. There is a deep longing, suffering, sadness and acceptance of the inevitable in the old Abbot's character. Contrast that with the enthusiasm, indeed passion for life, in Orgyen. The way of the young Monk! This story is based on true events.
I was really touched by the attachment of the youngest monk to a watch; his mother gave it to him. The watch is the only worldly possession of the youngest monk, it is not even running and he parts with it when his uncle asks for it. Filial! so eastern. As soon as he parts with it he misses it and is pensive about it, not interested in watching the Soccer World Finals. See the impact of that emotion on Orgyen. He loses interest in his most anticipated Soccer World Finals. He wants to do everything he can to recover the pawned watch to its rightful owner. Abbot just signs to Geko who goes out to Orgyen and comforts him. A stroke or two on the young Monk's head. No speeches. I was speechless at that moment.
There is every aspect of every emotion in everyone's lives; including a Monk's. As the movie draws to a close, there are few statements, with subtitles, pay close attention. It is pure, simple and philosophical outlook on life.
Will China ever return Tibet to Tibetans? Tibet is already ethnic cleansed where most men are gone. Women are used by Chinese. So on.....
People can live in peace. Will we ever learn? Presence of the menacing Chinese Dragon is alluded to but no statements are made as to the politics. There is a deep longing, suffering, sadness and acceptance of the inevitable in the old Abbot's character. Contrast that with the enthusiasm, indeed passion for life, in Orgyen. The way of the young Monk! This story is based on true events.
I was really touched by the attachment of the youngest monk to a watch; his mother gave it to him. The watch is the only worldly possession of the youngest monk, it is not even running and he parts with it when his uncle asks for it. Filial! so eastern. As soon as he parts with it he misses it and is pensive about it, not interested in watching the Soccer World Finals. See the impact of that emotion on Orgyen. He loses interest in his most anticipated Soccer World Finals. He wants to do everything he can to recover the pawned watch to its rightful owner. Abbot just signs to Geko who goes out to Orgyen and comforts him. A stroke or two on the young Monk's head. No speeches. I was speechless at that moment.
There is every aspect of every emotion in everyone's lives; including a Monk's. As the movie draws to a close, there are few statements, with subtitles, pay close attention. It is pure, simple and philosophical outlook on life.
Will China ever return Tibet to Tibetans? Tibet is already ethnic cleansed where most men are gone. Women are used by Chinese. So on.....