KUNDUN |
| CREDITS: Director: Martin Scorsese Cast: Tenzin Thuthob Tsarong, Gyurme Tethong, Tulku
Jamyang Kunga Tenzin, Tenzin Yeshi Paichang, Techno Gyalpo & Tsewang Migyur Khangsar
USA 1997 (12) INTRODUCTION: What the hell has Scorsese got to do to get an Oscar? He produces a stunning and lyrical epic based on a true story (well it worked for Spielberg) and he ends up presenting the life time achievement award to some choreographer! Incidentally you know that you're going to the cinema too often when you see two films about the life of the Dalai Lama in as many weeks. Released so soon after "Seven Years In Tibet" what distinguishes this film from its predecessor is Scorsese's presence and the Dalai Lama's seal of approval. SYNOPSIS: Following Kundun's life from his 'discovery' at 2 (1937) until his flight from Tibet at 24 (1959) the film naturally focuses upon the Chinese Communists invasion (1950). REVIEW: The film fails to even mention in passing the existence of our mountain climbing Austrian friend from "Seven Years In Tibet". Whether this is because he had less of an influence on Kundun's development than is suggested in that film or because the Dalai Lama now wishes to distance himself from his former Nazi advisor is far from clear. But common to both films is Kundun's love of movies, his use of a telescope to watch his subjects and, oh yeah, the invasion. This film eschews Tibetan-chic, so evident in "Seven Years In Tibet", in an attempt to explain the Communists reasons for invading. In the film Kundun states that they were planning reform, and the removal of Kundun who was theoretically at least a fundamentalist dictator, with immense wealth, and replacing him with a worker-run state, in which the wealth is shared between all, sounds like a more than reasonable course of action. Tibet had after all been a part of China after a brutal invasion in the 17th century until the fall of the Quing dynasty in 1912. However this is not how it happened. Instead a peace-loving people were butchered by a group of equally fanatical thugs. A tricky concept for any director to get across. The brutality of the Chinese invasion is represented in horrifyingly realistic tones as one would expect from the master Scorsese, but he balances this with beautiful shots of the scenery and shots of the everyday reality of Kundun's childhood. Perhaps more than anyone else in film today, he uses the screen as a canvas on to which he paints imagery that is both sickening and pleasing, intimate and holistic, mundane and awe inspiring. He is undoubtedly the best director in the US at the moment and the fact that he has yet to be honoured by the American Academy just goes to show how truly out of touch they are. Scorsese elicits superb performances from his cast of non-professionals. Tenzin Thuthob Tsarong (Kundun, adult) shines out as the star of the movie, displaying serenity and wisdom beyond his years, while Gyurme Tethong (Kundun, 12), Tulku Jamyang Kunga Tenzin (Kundun, 5) and Tenzin Yeshi Paichang (Kundun, 2) ably demonstrate the path to enlightenment. The rest of the cast pale into insignificance, but worthy of mention are Kundun's parents Techno Gyalpo and Tsewang Migyur Khangsar. Special mention must go to rat wrangler Jerzy Lamirowsky and vulture wrangler Jean Phillipe Varin whose diminutive charges make for some of the most charming and enlightening scenes in the movie. Last and by all means least is Robert Linn who plays a Bond villanesque version of Chairman Mao who charmingly explains his plan for world domination to Kundun. The film has suffered from an horrendous lack of support from its own production company, doubtless due to Disney's fears of upsetting their Chinese contacts. The distinct lack of advertising and Oscar nominations have added to the non-commerciality of the project, condemning it to the art houses where it will never achieve the audience it deserves. This is a 'great' film and like any 'great' film it has its flaws. The lead character is too often lost in the story's epic qualities, the visual exuberance of the film, and Philip Glass' intrusive score, we never really get to know Kundun, or indeed any of the characters, despite following him from birth we are, like his court, never really given the opportunity to connect with him in any way. The latest and greatest movie from the true "King Of The World". Mutt's Rating: **** |