KUNDUN

US, 1997, 134 minutes, Colour.
Tenzin Thuthob Tsarong, Gyurme Tethong
Directed by Martin Scorsese.

With the passing of the Dalai Lama in 193-, the Buddhist monks of Tibet travel around the country in search of the new incarnation of Buddha who will become their spiritual leader, Kundun. After some years, a two year old boy is found in whom they sense the presence of the Buddha.

The boy is is taken to Lhassa to be trained in Buddhist spirituality and traditions as the fourteenth Dalai Lama. At the same time he is also introduced to some of the technical advances of the 20th century, including cinema. On his becoming leader, he begins to bring the technlogy to Tibet for the benefit of his people.

World War II breaks out. Tibet is isolated but the people know about the global conflict through movie newsreels. At war's end, the Dalai Lama has to face social issues concerning Tibet's place in Asia. China looms as a threat and makes advances on the country. The Dalai Lama's advisers are divided in their opinions.

After Mao Tse Tung's rise to power in China in 1949, the Dalai Lama travels to Beijing to meet the Premier. Mao smiles in public while being photographed with the Dalai Lama. However, Tibet is soon invaded, much of the culture destroyed and the people oppressed. Tibet is annexed by China. The Dalai Lama makes his escape to India, becoming leader in exile.

Martin Scorsese is considered one of the great directors of American cinema. His movies, Mean Streets, Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Goodfellas and The Gangs of New York, have received outstanding critical acclaim. He made Kundun out of conviction rather than for profit. Kundun is a politically dangerous movie, especially with Mao Tse Tung being one of the principal characters. The movie's explicit portrayal of the Chinese takeover of Tibet and of the Dalai Lama's being forced into exile proved embarrassing to the Chinese government and to governments in process of trade negotiations with China in the late 1990s. Distributors in countries trying to foster these relationships were reluctant to screen Kundun.

From a non-Asian perspective, Tibet still seems a rather remote and unknown country. Kundun recreates the world of Tibetan Buddhism, its long isolation from the rest of the world. It also shows Tibet's entry into the modern 20th century world. The thoughtful script is by Melissa Matthison (who wrote ET). Scorsese has avoided Hollywood glamor by using unknown Tibetan and Chinese actors. He filmed on location in Morocco as he did for The Last Temptation of Christ.

Scorsese offers his audience both a narrative about and a contemplation of Buddhism. Some of the rituals are beautiful, others alien, demanding an open heart and mind to appreciate this different culture. The succession of actors playing the Dalai Lama are convincing, especially the young adult leader. Nurtured as the Buddha for his times, he moves from a self-confident and self-centred child to a humble and non-violent leader. Kundun is a movie of beauty and insight

1.World interest in the Dalai Lama? His history? Buddhism and its tenets? The role of Tibet, the dominance of China? These themes gathered together in the one film?

2.The work of Martin Scorsese? His interest in religious themes? His Catholicism bringing insight into a story of Buddhism? The contrast with his other films, gangster films, comedies? Contemplation rather than action?

3.The location photography, Tibet in the 1940s and 50s? The beauty of the mountains, the city of Lhasa? The impact of the location photography, colour, beauty? The musical score?

4.Audience knowledge about the Dalai Lama? His origins? The reincarnation of the Buddha? His place in Tibetan history? His exile and his history and world status since his exile?

5.The opening, Tibet in 1937? The monk, going through the villages? The search for the successor to the Dalai Lama? Buddhist beliefs in finding the Dalai Lama?

6.The family, the Chinese border? The two-year-old boy? The monks’ criteria for believing that he was the reincarnation of the Buddha? That he was destined to be the next Dalai Lama? The nature of this kind of faith?

7.The boy, leaving his family, going to Lhasa? His being instructed? All the rituals of Buddhism? The rituals of the Dalai Lama and his leadership? Responsibilities? The secular leader also of the nation? The little boy, as a child, curiosity, moods, temper? His being overwhelmed by these years of training?

8.The palace, the rooms, costumes and décor? The importance of the sand art? The philosophy, the creation of the colours, the diagrams, the designs in the sand? The possibility of their being wiped away suddenly? The drama at the end? The demolition of the sand art? As a symbol of the demolition of Tibet?

9.The boy growing up, his life, the leaders of Lhasa and their training? The build-up to his investiture? Eighteen years old?

10.The political situation in the 1940s? The role of China? The communist revolution? Power in Beijing? Mao Tse Dong? The role of Tibet, China and wanting sovereignty? The Dalai Lama, his seeking counsel of his ministers, the rejection of the Chinese claims?

11.The invasion of Tibet, the Dalai Lama and his going to the monastery? Its remoteness? The visuals of the Chinese takeover? The slogans around Lhasa? Talking about liberation and modernisation?

12.The Dalai Lama and the role of modern technology, his interest in films and newsreels? His own interest in the modernisation of Tibet? His returning to Lhasa? Wanting to build a relationship between Buddhism, socialism?

13.His visit to Beijing, the interview with Chairman Mao, the behaviour of the Chinese leader, his exercising respect, the double-edged attitude of his pronouncements, especially about Tibet?

14.The deterioration in Tibet, the Dalai Lama coming home, the rebellion against the occupation? The Chinese and their vicious response?

15.The Dalai Lama, his prayer, his Buddhist beliefs and behaviour, ethics? His visions? Seeing the destruction of his country, the killing of the monks?

16.The Chinese plan to bomb Lhasa, to imprison the Dalai Lama, to kill him? His escape, the disguise, going over the mountains? Exile in India?

17.How well did the film succeed as a spectacle? An exotic land? Buddhist background and styles? A portrait of a significant 20th century figure? Audiences being able to learn about Buddhism without a didactic tone?