The Giant Buddhas (2005)

User Rating:

7.4/10   

Director:

Christian Frei

Release Date:

3 August 2006 (Germany)

Genre:

Documentary

Plot:

A filmmaker's investigation into the destruction of giant Buddha statues in Afghanistan. |

Awards:

1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

Taysir Alony	...	Himself - Journalist
Sayeed Mirza Hussain	...	Himself - Bamiyan Cave Dweller (as Sayyed Mirza Hussain)
Peter Mettler	...	Narrator - English version
Nelofer Pazira	...	Herself - Journalist
Zémaryalaï Tarzi	...	Himself - Archaeologist
Xuanzang	...	Himself

Also Known As:

Im Tal der grossen Buddhas (Switzerland: German title) (TV title)

Runtime:

Canada:95 min (Toronto International Film Festival)

Country:

Switzerland

Language:

Arabic | Dari | English | French | Mandarin

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Switzerland:14 (canton of Zurich) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva)

Company:

Christian Frei Filmproductions

Soundtrack:

3rd Piece

Not much there.

I just saw this film at the Florida Film Fest and I can't believe that it made it into the fest at all. I am sure that the film makers went to a great deal of trouble, but the resulting film has almost no structure and no interest in Buddism.

There was a great deal of hand held footage of the camera zoomed in and pointed at the ground as someone walked along creating the "Blair Witch seasick " effect.

I did not feel that the filmmakers had a point of view that I did not agree with. It seemed that there was no point of view at all, just people poking around broken rocks. Again, I know how hard it is even to make a short film in your own back yard, so I feel bad saying this, but the subject is so rich that a much better film could be made with a different script and stock footage.