BUDDHISTDOOR IN SPANISH
You can read the second part of this filmography here
Title: Mandara (“Mandara”)
Diretor: Akio Jissoji
Year: 1971
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Genre: drama, experimental
Length: 101 minutes
Tradition: Japanese culture
Theme: Existentialism, Sexuality, Social Criticism
Synopsis: Two university students from Kyoto decide to exchange partners and spend the night in a secluded motel. However, one of the couples is attacked. Desperate for answers, they search for the attackers and stumble upon a cult that promotes sexual freedom.
Title: Marathon Monks of Mount Hiei (“Marathon Monks of Mount Hiei”)
Diretor: Michael Yorke
Year: 1992
Country: U.K./Japan
Language: Japanese
Genre: documentary
Duration: [Information Not Available]
Tradition: Tendai Buddhism
Theme: spiritual discipline, perseverance, faith.
Synopsis: The film depicts the ascetic and challenging world of the marathon monks of Mount Hiei. These monks belong to the Tendai Buddhist tradition and are known for their rigorous Kaihōgyō, a spiritual challenge that involves, as in the case of the protagonist Tanno Kakudo, traveling marathon distances for 1000 days over seven years in the sacred mountains as part of his spiritual practice.
Title: Meditate and Destroy (“Meditate and Destroy”)
Diretor: Sarah Fisher
Year: 2007
Country: USA
Language: English
Genre: documentary
Length: 1h 21 minutes
Tradition: Buddhism
Theme: Personal transformation, spirituality, youth.
Synopsis: This documentary tells the transformative story of Noah Levine, son of renowned Buddhist author Stephen Levine. Noah grew up in an environment marked by addictions and violence, leading him to a troubled youth. However, his life takes a radical turn as he discovers and embraces Buddhist teachings and the practice of meditation. The film explores how Noah finds a path to redemption through Buddhism, and how he uses his experience to help other young people in similar situations, merging spirituality with contemporary youth culture.
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Title: Milarepa (“Milarepa”)
Diretor: Neten Chokling
Year: 2006
Country: Bhutan
Language: Dzongkha
Genre: biography
Length: 90 minutes
Tradition: Tibetan Buddhism
Theme: Buddhism, Karma, Redemption and Spiritual Path.
Synopsis: Cinematic biography that chronicles the life of Milarepa, one of the most famous yogis in Tibet and an important poet and saint in Tibetan Buddhism. The film focuses on Milarepa's early life, including her quest for revenge, her regret and her eventually path to enlightenment under the guidance of her teacher Marpa.
Title: Mindful Living Every Day: Practicing in the Tradition of Thich Nhat Hahn (“Mindful Living Every Day: Practicing in the Thich Nhat Hanh Tradition”).
Diretor: David Nelson
Year: 2009
Country: USA
Language: English
Genre: documentary
Length: 39 minutes
Tradition: Buddhism, specifically in the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh.
Theme: The film explores the practice of mindfulness in daily life, following the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh. It focuses on how to incorporate mindfulness into everyday activities to achieve a more conscious and fulfilling life.
Synopsis: The documentary focuses on the practice of mindfulness according to the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh. Through interviews, speeches and guided practices, viewers are introduced to techniques and philosophies that promote inner peace, conscious attention and connection with the present moment.
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Title: Monk Comes Down the Mountain (“The Monk Cuts Down the Mountain”)
Diretor: Chen Kaige
Year: 2015
Country: China
Language: Mandarin Chinese
Genre: film, action.
Length: 123 minutes
Tradition: Buddhism
Theme: Although the film incorporates elements of Buddhism, it focuses more on martial arts and the philosophies associated with them.
Synopsis: The film follows the story of a young monk who, due to a shortage of food in his monastery, is forced to undertake a journey to the outside world. Along the way, he faces a series of challenges and adventures that lead him to question his beliefs and abilities. As he encounters diverse characters, from martial arts masters to corrupt figures, the monk learns valuable lessons about life, love and spirituality.
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Title: Monk with a Camera (“Monk with a Camera”)
Diretor: Guido Santi, Tina Mascara
Year: 2014
Country: USA
Language: English
Genre: documentary
Length: 90 minutes
Theme: The documentary explores themes of spirituality, personal transformation, and the balance between monastic life and the modern world.
Synopsis: It tells the fascinating story of Nicholas Vreeland, grandson of legendary fashion editor Diana Vreeland, who left behind a life of privilege to become a Tibetan Buddhist monk. The documentary follows his journey from his childhood in a luxurious environment to his decision to become a monk, exploring how Vreeland combines his passion for photography with his monastic life. Through interviews, archive footage and scenes from his daily life, the documentary offers a profound reflection on the meaning of life, material detachment and the search for inner peace.
Title: Monte Grande: What Is Life? (Monte Grande: What is life?)
Diretor: Franz Reichle
Year: 2004
Country: Switzerland
Language: German
Genre: documentary
Length: 80 minutes
Tradition: philosophy
Theme: Science, Spirituality, Philosophy.
Synopsis: This documentary explores the life and thought of renowned Chilean scientist and philosopher Francisco Varela. Varela was an influential biologist and neuroscientist, known for his contributions to systems theory and phenomenology. The documentary offers an in-depth look at his interdisciplinary approach, which integrates science, philosophy and spirituality.
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Title: My Buddha is Punk (“My Buddha is Punk”)
Diretor: Andreas Hartmann
Year: 2015
Country: Germany
Language: German
Genre: documentary
Length: 90 minutes
Tradition: Zen Buddhism
Theme: Punk music, Buddhism, youth activism, Burma/Myanmar.
Synopsis: This documentary follows the life of Kyaw Kyaw, a young Burmese man who finds in punk music a form of escape and rebellion. Influenced by Zen Buddhism, Kyaw Kyaw uses his music and activism to fight for freedom and social justice. Throughout the film, tensions between Buddhist tradition and punk culture are explored, highlighting how Kyaw Kyaw attempts to reconcile these two apparently opposing influences in his life.
Title: My Soul Drifts Light Upon a Sea of Trees (“My soul floats lightly on a sea of trees”)
Diretor: Heinrich Dahms
Year: 2018
Country: Germany
Language: German
Genre: documentary
Length: 80 minutes
Tradition: Buddhism
Theme: Spirituality, nature, meditation, contemplative life.
Synopsis: The film explores the contemplative life of Buddhist practitioners in the forest of Aokigahara, Japan. Through stunning images and interviews, he shows how these individuals find peace and purpose in their connection with nature, addressing issues of spirituality, life and death. The documentary invites us to reflect on the relationship between human beings and the natural environment, highlighting the transformative power of meditation and the serenity of the forest.
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Title: Next Generation (“Next Generation”)
Diretor: Adam Bhala Lough
Year: 2017
Country: U.S. UU.
Language: English
Genre: Documentary
Duration: [Information Not Available]
Tradition: Buddhism
Theme: Youth, Spirituality, Contemporary Culture.
Synopsis: Examines how young Americans adopt and adapt Buddhist teachings in their daily lives. Through interviews and observations, it explores the integration of practices such as meditation and mindfulness into a modern culture dominated by technology, highlighting challenges and triumphs of balancing spirituality with contemporary demands.
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Title: Nichiren (”Nichiren”)
Director: [Information not available]
Year: 1979
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Genre: biography
Duration: [Information Not Available]
Tradition: Nichiren Buddhism
Theme: History, Religion, Philosophy.
Synopsis: This biographical film chronicles the life of Nichiren Daishonin, a 13th century Japanese Buddhist monk, known for his fervent defense of the Lotus Sutra. The film follows his relentless struggle to reform the Buddhist practices of his time, facing persecution and exile because of his beliefs. It highlights his courage and conviction in the search for truth and justice, offering an inspiring vision of his legacy and his lasting impact on Japanese Buddhism.
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Title: Old Plum Mountain: The Berkeley Zen Center Life Inside the Gate
Diretor: Edwin Herzog
Year: 2011
Country: USA
Language: English
Genre: documentary
Duration: [Information Not Available]
Tradition: Zen Buddhism
Theme: Community, Spirituality, Zen Practice.
Synopsis: The documentary offers an intimate look at the Berkeley Zen Center, a community dedicated to the practice of Zen Buddhism in California. Through interviews and observations, the film explores daily life within the center, highlighting the teachings and practices that guide its members in their search for enlightenment. The documentary captures the essence of Zen community life, showing how meditation, working together and spiritual teaching are intertwined to create a space of peace and self-discovery.
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Title: One Mind (“One Mind”)
Diretor: Edward A. Burger
Year: 2019
Country: China
Language: Chinese
Genre: documentary
Duration: [Information Not Available]
Tradition: Zen Buddhism
Theme: Meditation, monastic life, spirituality.
Synopsis: It is a documentary that offers an in-depth vision of monastic life in a Zen monastery in China. The film captures the essence of Zen practice through the silent observation of the monks' daily routine. Without narration or interviews, the film allows the images to speak for themselves, showing the discipline, meditation and community work that define life in the monastery. It invites spectators to experience the calm and approach of Zen, offering a reflection on simplicity, mindfulness and the search for spiritual unity.
Title: Paths of the Soul (“Paths of the Soul”)
Diretor: Zhang Yang
Year: 2015
Country: China
Language: Tibetan
Genre: documentary
Duration: [Information Not Available]
Tradition: Buddhism
Theme: Pilgrimage, Spirituality, Tibetan Culture.
Synopsis: The documentary follows the extraordinary journey of a group of Tibetan pilgrims who travel more than 1,200 kilometers on foot to Lhasa, the sacred city of Tibet. Capturing every step of their arduous journey, the film offers an intimate look at their devotion and resistance, as they prostrate themselves on the ground in a sign of reverence along the way. The documentary combines elements of fiction and reality to immerse viewers in the spiritual and community experience of pilgrims.
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Title: Peace is Every Step: Meditation in Action the Life and Work of Thich Nhat Hahn (“Peace is Every Step: Meditation in Action, the Life and Work of Thich Nhat Hanh”)
Diretor: Gaetano Kazuo Maida
Year: 1997
Country: USA
Language: English
Genre: documentary
Length: 60 minutes.
Tradition: Buddhism
Theme: Meditation, Peace, Activism.
Synopsis: The documentary explores the life and teachings of revered Buddhist monk and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh. Through interviews, archive images and personal stories, he presents his approach to meditation as an active practice to promote inner and outer peace. The documentary highlights his role in the peace movement during the Vietnam War and his global influence in promoting mindfulness and compassion. It invites viewers to reflect on how meditation can transform lives and contribute to a more peaceful world.
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Title: Preaching from Pictures: A Japanese Mandala (“Preaching from Pictures: A Japanese Mandala”)
Diretor: David Plath
Year: 2003
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Genre: documentary
Length: 37 minutes
Tradition: Buddhism
Theme: Art, Spirituality, Culture.
Synopsis: This documentary considers the meaning and function of mandalas in the Japanese Buddhist tradition. The film delves into the use of these complex works of art as tools for spiritual teaching and meditation. Through interviews with experts and visits to temples, the documentary reveals how mandalas serve as visual maps of the Buddhist cosmos and as guides for spiritual practice. It offers a fascinating view of the intersection between art and religion, highlighting the beauty and depth of these symbolic images in Japanese culture.
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Title: Quick Sand: The Kalachakra Mandala (“Quicksand: The Kalachakra Mandala”)
Director: Jacob Wise.
Year: 2018
Country: India
Language: Tibetan
Genre: documentary
Length: 16 minutes
Tradition: Tibetan Buddhism
Theme: Art, Spirituality, Ritual.
Synopsis: The documentary that explores the creation of the Kalachakra mandala, a Tibetan spiritual practice. Follow monks crafting this complex sand mandala, symbolizing Buddhist cosmology and impermanence. Through images and interviews, the film reveals the spiritual and cultural meaning of this tradition, emphasizing its role in the search for inner peace and universal harmony.
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Title: Rassvet/Zakat (Sunrise/Sunset) (“Rassvet/Zakat — Sunrise/Sunset”)
Diretor: Vitaly Mansky
Year: 2008
Country: Russia
Language: Russian
Genre: documentary
Duration: [Not Specified]
Tradition: Buddhism
Theme: Monastic life, spirituality, everyday life.
Synopsis: This documentary offers a contemplative look at a day in the life of the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism. With an intimate and observational approach, the film follows the Dalai Lama's daily routine from dawn to dusk, showing his dedication to meditation, teaching and interactions with followers. Filmed in a minimalist style, the documentary allows viewers to immerse themselves in the serenity and depth of their spiritual practice. “Sunrise/Sunset” is a reflection on the simplicity and wisdom in the life of one of the world's most influential spiritual leaders.
