Kundun (2009)

Genre: Biographical

Directed by: Martin Scorsese

Cast: Tenzin Thuthob Tsarong, Gyurme Telthong

Running time: 134 minutes

This 2009 biographical film directed by Martin Scorsese is based on the life and writings of the 14^th Dalai Lama. This straightforward chronological tale tells the story of how a little boy was chosen near the border of China, groomed for the job and then became the 14^th Dalai Lama.

The cinematography was absolutely astonishing here, from a visual standpoint. The action is not at the forefront here; this film relates a long journey through beautiful images. Though the cast was not composed of a group of well-known actors, the people hired to portray the various characters still managed to make you feel that enormous pressure put on a young boy to become this big wise leader and the difficulties involved in the long journey that followed.

This film, which caused some controversy, especially in China, is well worth seeing, for the visual aspects and for the historical importance of the story being told.

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