The Cup (1999)
"Phörpa" (original title)

While the soccer World Cup is being played in France, two young Tibetan refugees arrive at a monastery/boarding school in exile in India. Its atmosphere of serene contemplation is somewhat ... See full summary »

Director:

Khyentse Norbu

Writer:

Khyentse Norbu

Stars:

Orgyen Tobgyal, Neten Chokling, Jamyang Lodro

5 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Orgyen Tobgyal	...	Geko
Neten Chokling	...	Lodo
Jamyang Lodro	...	Orgyen
Lama Chonjor	...	Abbot
Lama Godhi	...	Old Lama
Thinley Nudi	...	Tibetan Layman
Kunsang	...	Cook Monk
Kunsang Nyima	...	Palden
Pema Tshundup	...	Nyima
Dzigar Kongtrul	...	Vajra Master
Dhan Pat Singh	...	TV Shop Owner
Oga	...	Abbot's Attendant
Raj Baboon	...	Taxi Driver
Jamyang Nyima	...	The hypersomniaque
Pema Wamgchen	...	Storytelling Monk

Storyline

While the soccer World Cup is being played in France, two young Tibetan refugees arrive at a monastery/boarding school in exile in India. Its atmosphere of serene contemplation is somewhat disrupted by soccer fever, the chief instigator being a young student, the soccer enthusiast Orgyen. Prevented by various circumstances from seeing the Cup finals on television in a nearby village, Orgyen sets out to organize the rental of a TV set for the monastery. The enterprise becomes a test of solidarity, resourcefulness and friendship for the students, while the Lama, head of the monastery, contemplates the challenges of teaching the word of Buddha in a rapidly changing world.

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Plot Keywords:

soccer | monastery | lama | television | world cup | 

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Taglines:

Buddhism is their philosophy. Soccer is their religion.

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Genres:

Comedy | Sport

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Certificate:

G

Details

Official Sites:

Fineline site - English Pyramide [fr] (French)

Country:

Bhutan Australia

Language:

Hindi Tibetan

Release Date:

20 April 2000 (Australia)

Also Known As:

The Cup

Filming Locations:

Bir, Himachal Pradesh, India

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$35,179 (USA) (28 January 2000)

Gross:

$1,067,773 (USA) (21 April 2000)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Coffee Stain Productions, Palm Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This is the first film produced in Bhutan to be released internationally.

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Quotes

Abbot: Can we cover the earth in leather so it's soft wherever we go?
Cook Monk: No.
Abbot: So what can we do?
Lodo: Wear leather sandals?
Abbot: Yes, wearing leather sandals is equal to covering the earth with leather.

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Connections

Referenced in Film Geek (2005)

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Soundtracks

"Mongolian Overtone (Hoomii)"
Singers: Taravjab Gareltsog and Chamba
Live recording at Wembley Stadium, August 5 1993

User Reviews

Simply amazing

A quasi-documentary look at the daily lives of a bunch of Buddhist monks living in exile, in India. A thin plot line has some of the younger monks, soccer fans all, contriving to watch the 1998 World Cup by collecting enough money to rent a TV and satellite dish for the evening of the contest. A more interesting plot element has two young men spirited out of China and taken in by the monastery to become monks in training. We get to watch the daily lives of these monks, all or most of whom are evidently the real thing and not actors. The movie is absolutely fascinating as it shows Buddhist monks are no different than you and I in their wants and desires. The movie has a light, almost whimsical touch, but is not without its serious moments. By the end, we and the monks have learned an important lesson or two, without being hammered over the head with it. The storyline is punctuated by some breathtaking photography of the land in which these exiles are living.