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Laramie Movie Scope: Kundun

Spirituality, Bhuddism, and the sorrow of Tibet

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by Robert Roten, Film Critic
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February 28, 1998 -- "Kundun" made news before it was released when the Chinese government threatened Disney with possible future economic sanctions if it went ahead with plans to release the film.

Disney, of course, released the film anyway, provoking a headlines such as "The Mouse That Roared." If only our own government would show that much courage. "Kundun" is the story of the 14th Dalai Lama from age two to 17. The Dalai Lama was the spiritual and political ruler of Tibet until forced to leave the country by the Chinese communists.

In a statement released last year, "We are resolutely opposed to the making of this movie," said Kong Min, an official at the Film Bureau of the Ministry of Radio Film and Television. "It is intended to glorify the Dalai Lama, so it is an interference in China's internal affairs."

The Chinese believe that Tibet belongs to them. Tibet views itself, however, as an independent country that happens, for the moment, to be under Chinese rule. The movie is hated by the Chinese government because it shows the conquest and occupation of Tibet for what it was, an attempt to destroy an entire culture by the use of wholesale slaughter, torture and brutality, fueled by an intense anti-religious fervor.

The film itself is great-looking with beautiful cinematography by Roger Deakins, editing by Thelma Schoonmaker and direction by one of the all-time greats, Martin Scorcese. Scorcese uses flashbacks, dream sequences and visions to give us clues to what the Dalai Lama is feeling.

Four different actors portray the Dalai Lama from the time he is discovered to the incarnation at age 2. Until the time he is driven into exile. His isolation is apparent when the young Dalai Lama is taken away from his parents to be raised by monks. He is shown crying for his mother. It also becomes readily apparent that he is wise beyond his years, aided by the experience of more than one lifetime.

The Dalai Lama's faith in non-violence never waivers, even in the face of maddening brutality. The story does not compromise when it comes to the conflict between faith and politics. In doing so, it forces us to realize that all of us as citizens of the United States ought to be ashamed of ourselves because we have compromised too much when it comes to our dealings with the Chinese.

As a nation we once stood firm against the old "evil empire," the Soviet Union, but now we find ourselves a partner with the new evil empire, on which we bestow "Most Favored Nation" trading status.

Our lust for the vast markets of China has blinded us to the intransigent opposition of China's government to our own beliefs. We pretend to forget the horrible butchery, the hideous oppression, the unswerving deceitful evil of that is the Chinese government. When our leaders shake hands with theirs and smile, the blood comes off on our own hands.

Those who think that the Chinese rulers will give up their absolute authority over their people because they have adopted capitalism are mistaken. Those who believe that embracing this government is acceptable should be forced to swim in the blood of its millions of victims until they renounce their folly, or drown.

This movie reminds us that faith is stronger than guns. The Roman Empire tried to stop the Christians, just as the Chinese Communists tried to stop the Tibetan Bhuddists. In the end the Roman Empire, which no army could conquer, was itself conquered by simple faith. Our own country no longer has that faith, or we would not embrace China as we do. Instead we put our faith in Capitalism and nuclear weapons. I am not a Bhuddist, but forced to choose between that and Capitalism, I will take Bhuddism every time.

This film makes us confront those hard choices. It also highlights the cowardice and betrayal of the United States and other nations which allowed the people of Tibet to suffer a horrible fate. It also holds out the hope that someday the Dalai Lama will return to Tibet.

Although the film has some emotional power, it also seems a bit detached, a bit cool in its approach to events during the fall of Tibet. It didn't really draw me into the political conflict the way it did the spiritual conflict. This film rates a B.

Click here for links to places to buy this movie in video and/or DVD format, the soundtrack, books, even used videos, games and lots of other stuff. I suggest you shop at least two of these places before buying anything. Prices seem to vary continuously. For more information on this film, click on this link to The Internet Movie Database. Type in the name of the movie in the search box and press enter. You will be able to find background information on the film, the actors, and links to much more information.

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Copyright © 1998 Robert Roten. All rights reserved.
Reproduced with the permission of the copyright holder.
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Robert Roten can be reached via e-mail at my last name at lariat dot org. [Mailer button: image of letter and envelope]

(If you e-mail me with a question about this or any other movie or review, please mention the name of the movie you are asking the question about, otherwise I may have no way of knowing which film you are referring to)