Siddhartha's Intent - Gentle Voice #11

Khyentse Norbu and camera (Photo Linda Tokarchuk) "I have always been a lover of film, I watch film a lot. But I never had the idea of making a film, because I thought it would be almost impossible, until I saw Satyajit Ray, especially his first major work, The World of Apu. And there I got really encouraged because his story is so simple and straightforward. And when I read about how he made that film, I thought it might be possible. So then my wish to really pursue this film thing came up." This is how Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche describes his initial impulse to make films. Several years ago his love of cinema led him to break all tradition and enrol in the London Film School, only to be "abducted" eight days later as adviser for Bertolucci's Little Buddha. Since then he has directed three short films, Etto Metto, 9 1/2 and The Big Smoke.

Rinpoche describes cinema as a metaphor for life and views the film medium as "real illusion", much like the mind, creating mirages for reality, metaphors for our experience of existence. His passion is to explore this medium as a powerful context to convey Buddhist philosophy. Asked about balancing his traditional teaching responsibility with a career in film, Rinpoche replied. "I think there's no contradiction between film and teachings responsibilities. Any skilful means, any methods, have to be accepted, and that's the beauty of Vajrayana Buddhism. I think to refrain from such a strong and powerful skilful means is ignorance, cowardliness. Buddhism is one philosophy or religion that really has this wealth of openness. And I think we should take advantage of that."

Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche frequently teaches the subtleties of Buddhist philosophy, using the analogy of "life as cinema". "There's a big difference between watching a movie without knowing it's a movie and watching a movie knowing it's a movie. If you don't know it's a movie, then you have a hard time rewinding it. Yet, if you know it's a movie and then watch it, there's leisure, there's humour, there's a readiness to let go."

Putting this analogy into action, Rinpoche's latest film Phorpa (or The Cup) is based on the actual experiences of refugee monks within his monastery, who are consumed with an obsession for World Cup soccer. "This film is about the school that I have been running for almost 20 years. It's a subject that I know very well. I go round the world trying to raise funds for the school. Almost all the students have been, and still are, escapees from Tibet, having crossed mountains and rivers and endured lots of hardship." His actors are monks and Buddhist lamas, his crew consists mostly of Buddhist students and monks, and his setting is the monastic life. "Usually there is an expectation that a monastery is pure, but it is not always like that. Because, after all, what is a monk? A human being. It's someone who is trying hard to do something, to practise. That doesn't mean that when he becomes a monk, ninety per cent of his emotion is gone."

And what was it like making this unique film, the first Tibetan feature film? "It was quite tough, making the film. First of all, I'm expected to sit on the throne surrounded by at least fourteen serious-looking, non-smiling monks. Of course, not smiling at girls, especially! And I don't do that. I travel alone, and all that. That's already too much for Tibetans! So me making a film in a village that I actually live in, a village where Tibetan people really do have a lot of respect... And me sort of actually roaming around with the people is something that they cannot accept, especially Tibetan women. There is still a tradition, you see. I actually feel kind of sad about this sometimes..."

Phorpa is told with warm, irreverent humour and Tibetan wisdom and reveals many insights into a culture that struggles with noble dignity to maintain its ancient traditions and identity. At the time of going to print it seems that the film may premiere during the Directors' Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival and +be commercially released later this year. In addition, a feature-length documentary about the making of this unique film is in the pipeline. Watch out for further details in future issues.

(The Gentle Voice would like to thank Linda Tokarchuk of Jalandara Pictures Ltd for her help with this article.)