CONFUCIUS

UK China, 2015, 90 minutes, Colour.

Directed by Hugh Macgregor, Fei Deng, Dong Yan.

A documentary film opportunity for a wide audience to learn something about Confucius, his life, his mission and work, his teachings. Confucius lived in the sixth century BC, just after the Buddha, at the time of the return from the Babylonian exile for the Jewish people at the time of consolidation of much of their Scriptures.

The film is a collaboration between the UK and China, visualising aspects of the life of Confucius, dramatising some of the episodes of his life. This brings a more vivid picture of the philosopher. We see his origins, the story of his older father taking a young wife, difficulties in his growing up, his becoming a philosopher, in his own area, then travelling around the different provinces of China, his political advice for unity in kingdoms, his personalised philosophy based on personal integrity, and the development of the more transcendent aspects of the philosophy focused on respect for the ancestors.

Quite a number of talking heads, from the UK, US, Australia, as well as a number of Chinese experts.

Confucius is seen in the tradition of Socrates and other philosophers, working with disciples, getting their loyalty, especially support in difficult situations, formulating a philosophy of respect, the writing down of the teachings and their preservation.

There are many scenes from contemporary China, students with the philosophy, able to quote aphorisms and teaching. At the end of the film there is a great deal of attention paid to respect for the ancestors, in the traditions of China, interviews with contemporaries.

For audiences not familiar with Confucius, this is a satisfying introduction, and encouragement to learn more about him and his teaching.