Enlightenment Guaranteed (1999)

Two very different brothers get together for a temporary stay in a Japanese zen monastry. The trip from Germany to Japan brings up some unexpected quests they have to manage. Soon both ... See full summary »

Director:

Doris Dörrie

Writers:

Doris Dörrie, Ruth Stadler

Stars:

Uwe Ochsenknecht, Gustav-Peter Wöhler, Petra Zieser

2 wins.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Uwe Ochsenknecht	...	Uwe
Gustav-Peter Wöhler	...	Gustav
Petra Zieser	...	Petra
Ulrike Kriener	...	Ulrike
Anica Dobra	...	Anica
Heiner Lauterbach	...	Heiner
Franz X. Gernstl	...	Ehepaar
Gisela Gernstl	...	Ehepaar
Jimi Blue Ochsenknecht	...	Jimmy (as Jimmy Ochsenknecht)
Wilson Gonzalez	...	Wilson (as Wilson Gonzalez Ochsenknecht)
Leopold Zieser	...	Leopold
Emilia Zieser	...	Emilia
Pierre Sanoussi-Bliss	...	Ulrikes Liebhaber
Imaseki	...	Sumo-Ringer

Storyline

Two very different brothers get together for a temporary stay in a Japanese zen monastry. The trip from Germany to Japan brings up some unexpected quests they have to manage. Soon both really have to leave their ordinary lifes behind and are on a voyage to themselves.

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Plot Keywords:

japan | zen | f rated | buddhist | monastery | 

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Genres:

Drama | Comedy

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Details

Country:

Germany

Language:

German Japanese English

Release Date:

20 January 2000 (Germany)

Also Known As:

Sabiduría garantizada

Filming Locations:

Monzen, Japan

Company Credits

Production Co:

Megaherz TV Fernsehproduktion GmbH

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

I Will Survive (Ich überleb's)
Written by Freddie Perren, Dino Fekaris
Performed by Gustav-Peter Wöhler

User Reviews

Education about Buddhism is required.

"Enlightenment Guaranteed" is a wonderful film. Funny, visually interesting and intelligent. However, education about Buddhism is required, I think, for real appreciation of the film's layers of story telling. The independent film feeling was really charming. Ochsenknecht and Wohler work well as a comic team. The monastery scenes were fascinating and fun. There is a whole self consciousness of the play as a play that I really liked. It seemed more like small, alternative theater than film at times. I don't think this could be a commercial hit, simply because it takes a certain level of education and understanding of philosophy to get many of the jokes. The small audience, with whom I saw the film, were split down the middle. Half of them seemed as delighted as I was. Half seemed bored and restless. The German speakers near me were laughing as often and as loudly as I was. My own education in Buddhist practices was a major source of my appreciation for the film, I think. Well worth seeing, if you can find it.