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 7 wins & 9 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 | dalai lama | tibetan | slaughter | buddha | 

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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

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film is Martin Scorsese's first to earn a PG-13 rating from the MPAA.

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Goofs

Some of the Chinese soldiers with goggles that go marching by are obviously Caucasian.

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Quotes

Dalai Lama: The Buddhas neither wash ill deeds away with water, nor remove beings' sufferings with their hands, nor transfer their realizations to others.
Dalai Lama: Beings are released through the teachings of the truth. The final reality.
Dalai Lama: Thus, by the virtue that has collected, through all that I have done, may the pain of every living creature be completely cleared away.

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Crazy Credits

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

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Connections

Referenced in At the Movies: Bringing Out the Dead/Body Shots/Crazy in Alabama/Three to Tango/The City (1999)

User Reviews

unbearably spiritual movie

I live in South Korea, so I didn't think I would get some insights about buddhism from a Western movie. But this movie shocked me a lot. Very beautiful and meaningful visuals, quiet but spiritually forceful atmosphere every single moments are in the movie, I could hardly breath during playing. This movie is not just about one man, but about the pain of all mankind and the way to transcend the pain and sin of ours in a very buddhist direction. China in this movie got a bad part. Ironically they were also victims of imperialism but learned the exact way to extort, destroy the property and beliefs of others by the power of machines. It was just sad to watch. But as Kundun implied, those violence's are in the shadow of our minds which should be overcame by the power of spirit. For me, this movie tells that.

Details

Country:

USA Monaco Morocco

Language:

English Tibetan Mandarin

Release Date:

16 January 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Kundun

Filming Locations:

Ait Benhaddou, Morocco

Box Office

Budget:

$28,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$72,095, 28 December 1997

Gross USA:

$5,684,789

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$5,684,789

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