One of the (many) highlights of this past week was the premier of a film by Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, Travellers & Magicians. Under the name of Khyentse Norbu, Rinpoche has given us a movie of great beauty. Set in the tiny Buddhist country of Bhutan, it tells the story of one young man who wants to leave his quaint (and “boring”) village to go to the land of Adventures, to leave a job as an officer in his village to go pick apples in America.
Not much happens, so to speak. Just some people waiting for a bus. But so much happens, so rich an experience of waiting for that bus.
Khyentse Norbu said he made The Cup (his first film which won some critical acclaim) for the audience and this one,Travellers & Magicians, for himself. I found this was a much better piece of artwork, more like some Japanese films, perfectly crafted, mysterious and profoundly moving. An exquisitely tuned connection between the action of the mind and of the scenery.
The movie is scheduled to open across Canada and the United States. If it is anywhere near you, don’t miss it! A very beautiful film.
Posted by leya at February 2, 2005 08:50 AM