Review of Kundun (1997) by Melissa B — 30 Sep 2009

I actually enjoyed watching the movie Kundun, because it gives me a perspective of Buddhism. It's a very educational and religious movie. The movie Kudun is a movie based on the Buddhist religion and the practice of nonviolence. Kundun is the fourteenth Dalai Lama known as "Buddha of Compassion." Kundun is the reincarnation of the thirteenth Dalai Lama. Kundun was found by a monk who was disguised as a servant. He was found in his parents home in Tibet. The monk knew he was the fourteenth Dalai Lamai when Kundun chose the correct objects, which use to belong to the thirteenth Dalai Lama. Kundun begins his life as the Dalai Lama at the age of eighteen. Kundun then shows his abilities to be a leader and show the Tibetans that violence can't solve Tibet's problems, but hurt the one's we love. Kundun must make a decision whether to be apart of China and if he doesn't become part of China, then Tibet will be invaded by the Chinese. Kundun wants to protect his people and pursue the invasion without violence. But, he also has to make a choice to stay with his people or to flee for his own safety. Instead Kundun signs the liberation with China and makes it effective. Kundun flees from the Chinese government and pursues his journey to India for his own safety.

Kundun relates to World Religions by giving us some sort of perspective of how the Dalai Lama came into play and how Buddhism played a role. The movie Kundun basically takes an initiative role of giving us a brief look at Buddhism. For instance, in the movie there are monks praying and chanting daily. Also, Kundun is taught throughout his younger years by a noble, who teaches him the daily life of a monk and the importance of Buddhism and how religion is really important.