Dear Buddha House sangha,

I thought I'd share a list of Buddhism/Tibet/enlightenment-related movies and docos that the kind staff at Trak Video helped me put together recently. I can't vouch for their quality as I haven't seen many of them yet...

- Himalaya
- Travellers magicians
- Kundun
- Siddharta (I believe that this is hard to get hold of in Australia - Trak do not have a copy)
- The boy who plays on the Buddhas of Bamiyan
- The Razor's edge (black and white movie, 1940s, about a man 'searching'
- The cup
- Meetings with remarkable men
- Seven years in Tibet
- Cry of the snow lion (doco)

Most of these are available at Trak Video (367 Greenhill Road - opposite Burnside Village and a few doors down from the Trak cinemas - very close to Buddha House). It was an unexpected delight to find that the two staff I have met there recently are both very interested in Buddhism (though I think not necessarily Mahayana) and have read widely on the topic. One of them says he was instrumental in having the movie Siddharta played in Adelaide in the 1970's. It's worth taking the time to have a chat about their experiences and interests in this area.

Do others have movies/documentaries that they would recommend?

Best wishes to all,
Emily

'Japanese Story' is high on my list for recommending, though its not normally labelled a Buddhist work. The only thing you can say about it without spoiling is here:
colsearch.nfsa.afc.gov.au/nfsa/search/di...e=;rec=0;resCount=10
Knowing anything much more at all will reduce the experience/impact, I think.

When I saw it, I thought I was in for another chick flick - I didnt know anything about it. Its probably not good for kids, not sure. It could be a bit shocking if unprepared, or it could just go over the top & never land.

Spring Summer Autumn Winter - was recommended to me & I tried to find the DVD -
SBS then televised it last year - a lovely movie with good Buddhist's values - I enjoyed every moment & would thoroughly recommend it. It is subtitled.

I really enjoyed the movie "Samsara". Its about a monk who comes out of retreat and how he settles back into normal life.

The cinematography is just beautiful, its filmed in Ladakh in the Himilayas. The music is very moving too.

From memory its all spoken in Tibetan with subtitles, although its been a while since I've watched it.

Have seen it on SBS and the DVD is available too.

I would second "Kundun" as a must see movie about the life of the current Dalai Lama.

Cheers,
Paul

Anyone watching 'The Story of India', six part series currently screening on ABC (out on DVD May 7 as well)?

Fascinating and well-delivered (who doesn't like Michael Wood!?!), particularly the early history (BCE) of India and the impact of Buddhism on social and political life.

Well worth a watch if you haven't seen it!

M