Kundun (1997)

From childhood to adulthood, Tibet's fourteenth Dalai Lama deals with Chinese oppression and other problems.

Director:

Martin Scorsese

Writer:

Melissa Mathison

Stars:

Tenzin Thuthob Tsarong, Gyurme Tethong, Tulku Jamyang Kunga Tenzin

Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tenzin Thuthob Tsarong	...	Dalai Lama (Adult)
Gyurme Tethong	...	Dalai Lama (Age 12)
Tulku Jamyang Kunga Tenzin	...	Dalai Lama (Age 5)
Tenzin Yeshi Paichang	...	Dalai Lama (Aged 2)
Tencho Gyalpo	...	Mother
Tenzin Topjar	...	Lobsang (5-10)
Tsewang Migyur Khangsar	...	Father
Tenzin Lodoe	...	Takster
Geshi Yeshi Gyatso	...	Lama of Sera
Losang Gyatso	...	The Messenger (as Lobsang Gyatso)
Sonam Phuntsok	...	Reting Rinpoche
Gyatso Lukhang	...	Lord Chamberlain
Lobsang Samten	...	Master of the Kitchen
Jigme Tsarong	...	Taktra Rimpoche (as Tsewang Jigme Tsarong)
Tenzin Trinley	...	Ling Rimpoche

Storyline

The Tibetans refer to the Dalai Lama as 'Kundun', which means 'The Presence'. He was forced to escape from his native home, Tibet, when communist China invaded and enforced an oppressive regime upon the peaceful nation of Tibet. The Dalai Lama escaped to India in 1959 and has been living in exile in Dharamsala ever since.

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Plot Keywords:

tibet | chinese | dalai lama | lama | china | 

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Taglines:

The destiny of a people lies in the heart of a boy.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for violent images

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Tibetan Mandarin

Release Date:

25 December 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Kundun - zycie Dalajlamy

Filming Locations:

Ait Benhaddou, Ouarzazate, Morocco

Box Office

Budget:

$28,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£57,729 (UK) (3 April 1998)

Gross:

£157,451 (UK) (10 April 1998)

Company Credits

Production Co:

De Fina-Cappa, Dune Films, Refuge Productions Inc.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

134 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Director Martin Scorsese, writer Melissa Mathison and her then husband Harrison Ford were added to the list of over 50 people banned from entering Tibet because of this film.

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Goofs

When Kundun is dreaming that he is surrounded by monks slaughtered by the Chinese, the "dead" monk closest to him moves his eyelids.

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Quotes

[hearing the Chinese propaganda loudspeakers blaring outside]
Dalai Lama: They have taken away our silence.

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Crazy Credits

The Touchstone Pictures logo shown after the end credits is red.

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Connections

Referenced in The Making of 'Cape Fear' (2001)

User Reviews

Enlightening

I feel I owe a debt of gratitude to Martin Scorsese for making this extraordinary film. Especially in light of it's controversial content. Here is a story that must be told and is so remarkably entertaining while being so deeply informative that I hesitate to make any comments at all. Why why why has this director NOT received the recognition he so richly deserves for his work, especially with this epic that out "performs" any epic extant, including the likes of "Cleopatra" "The Godfather" and so on. Are awards for honest brilliant work politically motivated? This film may be the watermark for all ambitious film makers in the future. Keep it real.