Tibet:a buddhist trilogy(1979)

剧情简介

This 1979 documentary has just been released, apparently, and I saw it this evening before it left Austin. The trilogy refers to three glimpses of the exiled Buddhists of Tibet -- the Dalai Lama in his residence; a monastery performing a beautiful ritual entitled "The Beautiful Ornament"; and monks in another monastery performing a death ritual for an old man with no family in a nearby village. If you are a student of Buddhism (I am), this is a good account of the various rituals, but it is difficult to watch as a movie until the third part. Not difficult emotionally, but mentally; it's very hard to concentrate during the chanting. The imagery is beautiful, and also demonstrates Buddhism's emphasis on impermanence. The final third of the movie works best AS a movie, and looks more directed than the earlier parts.