Monday, October 15, 2007

Milarepa: Magician, Murderer, Saint: A Film by Neten Chokling

Just saw Milarepa, the movie about Tibet's great 11th century yogi, at Washington DC's E Street cinemna--- it's spellbindingly splendid. Filmed in northern India, the scenery is stunning, and the acting extraordinary--- especially when one considers that most were local villagers. The director and producer did a Q & A afterwards--- I asked about the eldery lady with a bundle of firewood on her back, who appeared on the mountaintop during scene of Milarepa's violent revenge. It turns out, the lady was so old, that two men had to carry her up the mountain. And her tears were authentic--- she was so moved by the story. On Monday there will be a special screening with an introduction by Sogyal Rinpoche, author of The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying. So if you're in DC, don't miss this. And check out the blog, which includes an interview with the director.