Buddha Wild: Monk in a Hut (2006)

Director:

Anna Wilding

Writer:

Anna Wilding (writer)

Release Date:

10 December 2006 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Comedy | Drama | Fantasy

Tagline:

A small feel good movie

Plot:

Buddha Wild Monk in the Hut provides an opportunity for a group of Thai and Sri Lankan monks, living...

Plot Keywords:

Monk | Buddhist | Buddha | Academy | Fairy Tale

Cast

Anna Wilding	...	Gabrielle / Presenter / Narrator
Phra Sathuwanda
Chalerm Chanaphan
Chaip Saissard	...	Saissard, Chaipichit
Vanta Kaur
Phra Visechat
Phramah Somchai	...	Somchai, Phramaha
Phram Sayan
Prahamaha Veera	...	Veera, Prahamaha
Phra Kannoong
Bhante Somaratana
Ashley Kinsman
Lucy Gaudin
Sally Gaudin
Dan Cousins

Runtime:

90 min | USA:60 min

Country:

Thailand | UK | New Zealand | USA

Language:

Thai | English | Sanskrit

Color:

Color | Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:Not Rated

Filming Locations:

New Zealand

Company:

Carpe Diem Films

Trivia:

First limited sneak public previews (Directors rough cut) of this documentary feature in a major cinema (Rialto) sold out within 24 hours in early Feb 2005 in its country of origin. Proceeds were donated by the Director and Rialto Cinemas to the relief appeal following the Asian tsunami of 26 December 2004. The film was then had a limited platform release in 2007 in USA and Canada with continued cinema releases in 2008-2010

Quotes:

Anna Wilding: The monks don't have the freedom we have, yet they have a freedom we will never know.

A tone poem, an ode to the monk's life

I was lucky enough to see this film on DVD recently, and I was charmed by it. Its utter lack of pretension, coupled with an affectionate glimpse of what real Buddhist monks are like (funny and self-effacing, but serious about their mission), make for a unique viewing experience.

Be warned: This is not a slick Hollywood production. Shot in an unpolished "guerilla style," it is, as the narrator says, more of a poem than a story. This nonlinear style is fascinating -- sometimes seemingly random images are juxtaposed with those of the smiling monks, statues, or even of the filmmaker exploring the world. It is an entertaining and informative, even compelling, ode to the life and mission of the world's hundreds of thousands of monks, especially the Theravadins in southeast Asia.

If you're interested in Buddhism -- or in human nature in general -- and get the chance to rent or buy Buddha Wild, do yourself a favor and take advantage of the opportunity. It isn't the most straightforward trip you'll ever take, but that just makes it all the more rewarding.