The Review - AT THE MOVIES with DAN CARRIER Published: 23 April 2009
Pick of the Indies
BUDDHISM and film – not the most obvious bedfellows. But in May the Barbican hosts a 10-day festival celebrating world cinema with a Buddhist lilt.
Examining Buddhist ideas and inspirations, ranging from Eastern documentaries through to Hollywood blockbusters, the festival features 40 films from 18 different countries.
Among the gems is a piece by Martin Scorsese, who shows a side of his work that is rarely seen. The director travelled to Tibet and the result is a documentary that considers the role of Buddhism in the country.
Other highlights include documentary maker Ellen Bruno’s Untold Stories, focusing on human rights in Asia (Samsara, Satya, Sacrifice, Sky Burial). She worked with refugees on the Thai-Cambodian border, and as director of the Cambodian Women’s Project, her background in humanitarian relief work informs the conviction of her film-making.
Other highlights include work by Japan’s Kihachiro Kawamoto. He is renowned for his puppet animation.
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The Buddhist Film Festival, May 7-17. www.barbican.org.uk