2009 Buddhist Film Festival at ACMI
October 13th 2009 01:37
The second Melbourne Buddhist Film Festival will be held over the weekend 31 October to 1 November 2009 at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI), in Federation Square, Melbourne.
The Melbourne Buddhist Film Festival is presented by the Buddhist Council of Victoria.
Six films, most not screened before in Melbourne, explore the deep influence of Buddhist practice in the transformation of people’s lives. The films explore Buddhist lives and experiences in the West and East, including the lives of prisoners, punks, other inspirational practitioners and spiritual leaders. The program also includes a public talk on Buddhist symbolism, and a traditional Japanese tea ceremony in the ACMI function space.
THE PROGRAMME
Friday 30th October and Saturday 31st October, 6.15pm
The Dhamma Brothers
Director: Jenny Phillips, Anne Marie Stein and Andrew Kukura
Running time: 76 mins
Country: US
Year: 2007
Language: English
A dramatic tale of human potential and transformation, this documentary chronicles the stories of prison inmates at Donaldson Correctional Facility through and after an arduous Vipassana meditation program. It has the power to dismantle stereotypes about men behind prison bars, and n the words of Sister Helen Prejean (Dead Man Walking), ‘it gives you hope for the human race’.
Friday 30th October, 9.15pm
Meditate and Destroy
Director: Sarah Fisher
Running time: 80 minutes
Country: US
Year: 2007
Language: English
This film contains strong language and drug references.
A documentary about rebellion, punk rock, and spirituality through the eyes of best-selling author Noah Levine (Dharma Punx, Against the Stream). This powerful film examines the driving forces that transformed Levine from an addicted rebel into a Buddhist teacher and community leader. Tattoos, motorbikes, and a punk rock soundtrack provide the backdrop for an inspirational story of finding new paths even in our darkest hours.
Saturday 31st October, 12.45pm
Wheel of Time
Director: Werner Herzog
Running time: 81 minutes
Year: 2003
Language: English with some English subtitles
Veteran director Werner Herzog’s documentation of Tibetan Buddhist tradition, covering a massive Buddhist festival in India, the ritual construction of a sand mandala in Austria, and Buddhist pilgrimage to a sacred mountain. “With minimal explanation, it puts you right in the center” (Stephen Holden, New York Times).
Saturday 31st October, 2.00-3.00pm
Public talk: Unlock the Buddha Code
Beautiful Buddhist statues and artwork adorn palaces, temples, museums and humble abodes around the world. They can even be bought in homeware stores, yet few people understand the meaning of these figures - their posture, hand gestures, colour and expressions. Each figure is rich with meaning and symbolism.
Gain insight into the religious, cultural and artistic aspects of Buddha figures in this entertaining talk by the Senior Venerable Thich Phuoc Tan OAM, Abbot of Quang Minh Temple in Braybrook.
Visit Quang Minh Temple.
Saturday 31st October, 3.45pm
Amongst White Clouds
Director: Edward A Burger
Running time: 86 minutes
Country: China
Year: 2005
Language: English and Chinese with English subtitles
An intimate insider’s look at students and masters living in scattered retreats dotting China’s Zhongnan Mountain Range. These peaks have been home to recluses since the time of the Yellow Emperor, some 5000 years ago. It was widely thought that the tradition was all but wiped out, but this film emphatically and beautifully shows us otherwise. The film includes interviews with several students and masters about their practice and insights towards enlightenment, and the simplicity of their lives.
Sunday 1st November, 12.45pm
The Devotion of Matthieu Ricard
Director: George Schouten,
Babeth M. VanLoo
Running time: 60 minutes
Country: The Netherlands
Year: 2008
Language: English with some English subtitles
Matthieu Ricard left a promising career in cellular genetics in France 40 years ago to devote himself to study Buddhism in the Himalayas. Since then he has lived with the greatest living teachers of that tradition. He was a close disciple of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, and since Khyentse Rinpoche's death in 1991 he has devoted his life, together with Rabjam Shechen Rinpoche, to the completion of projects initiated by Khyentse Rinpoche.
A best-seller author (The Monk and the Philosopher, Happiness) and well-known photographer, Ricard captures the spiritual life of his surroundings with his camera. As a trained scientist and Buddhist monk, he mediates the dialogue between Tibetan Buddhism and the West with understanding and compassion.
This film explores the many phases and aspects of Matthieu Ricard’s life, ‘the happiest man alive’ as Time magazine calls him. We see him accompanying HH the Dalai Lama as his personal interpreter, as an active participant in the current scientific research on the effects of meditation on the brain, and working on humanitarian projects in different locations in Asia, including Tibet, Nepal and India.
Sunday 1st November, 2.00-3.00pm
Traditional Japanese tea ceremony
Join us for this special Buddhist Film Festival event. Numbers are limited to 100,
so book early - on the ACMI website. Presented by the Chado Urasenke Association.
The custom of drinking tea was introduced to Japan in the 12th century, and first used by Zen monks to relieve drowsiness during meditation. Later, members of the aristocracy and upper-class samurai drank it for its medicinal properties. In the 16th century Sen Rikyu brought philosophical, religious, artistic, moral and social aspects to the simple custom of tea-drinking, to form a comprehensive synthesis of Japanese culture which became Chado, the Way of Tea.
Throughout the following 400 years, Chado has been continued by the descendants and disciples of Rikyu. The Urasenke tradition of Tea, is headed by Soshitsu Sen, the fifteenth-generation direct descendant of Sen Rikyu. Under Soshitsu Sen's leadership, there are now more than two million studying Chado in Japan and throughout the world.
The essence of Chado is found in four principles: harmony, respect, purity and tranquility. Harmony means the pleasing consonance brought about by the interaction of the host, guest, tea, utensils, cuisine, with the flowing rhythms of nature. Respect is having a pure and sincere heart which recognises the intrinsic dignity of our fellow human beings, our environment and nature. Purity is cleaning our bodies and spirits and keeping our surroundings immaculate to enjoy tea. Tranquility, the last principle, is achieved when the other three principles are brought to reality. It is the stillness which comes from a heart that is set free from the cares of the world, that is, a peaceful heart.
In Chado, differences of rank and station in life are cast aside, and like-minded people are brought together to enjoy tea. Chado exalts the spirit which values human relationships. The special nature of the moment is expressed in the phrase "Ichigo, ichie" (once in a lifetime opportunity). The host puts his entire heart into making the tea for the guests he has welcomed, and the guest drinks the tea with a feeling of gratitude for the host's efforts. The host and the guests realise this particular moment will not return, and treasuring its transcience, all share the special nature of the unique experience. Because the Way of Tea teaches humans - who cannot know the future - about life and how to live each day fully, its philosophy is able to transcend barriers of race and nationality. The phase "Peacefulness through a bowl of tea" expresses the strong desire of the fifteenth-generation grand master of Urasenke, Dr Soshitsu Sen, to contribute to world peace and to the happiness of the human being though Chado.
Sunday 1st November, 3.45pm
The Book of the Dead
Director: Kihachiro Kawamoto
Running time: 70 mins
Country: Japan
Year: 2005
Language: Japanese with English subtitles
This exquisite, haunting Japanese stop-motion animation drama is based on a tale from the Nara period (8th century). A young noblewoman studies the new religion of Buddhism, hand-copying sutras (Buddhist scriptures), trying to understand the teachings of the Buddha.
One evening, after copying a thousand pages of sutras, she sees a radiant figure above a distant mountain. Believing this figure to be the Buddha, she follows him to a temple, where she realises that the figure is the executed prince Otsu, who wanders in torment between this world and the next. The two forge a bond, which ultimately allows the prince to find rest. The director, Kihachiro Kawamoto, has said that the film is dedicated to all the innocent people who have died in recent wars.
Ticket prices for films
Single sessions
Full: $15
Concession: $10
4-session pass
Full: $50
Concession: $30
Ticket prices for special events
(public talk and tea ceremony)
Full: $20
Concession: $15
Enquiries & phone bookings
(03) 8663 2583
Information
(03) 8663 2200
Daily 10am to 6pm (AEST)
info@acmi.net.au
Source: ACMI Buddhist Film Festival
The Melbourne Buddhist Film Festival is presented by the Buddhist Council of Victoria.
Six films, most not screened before in Melbourne, explore the deep influence of Buddhist practice in the transformation of people’s lives. The films explore Buddhist lives and experiences in the West and East, including the lives of prisoners, punks, other inspirational practitioners and spiritual leaders. The program also includes a public talk on Buddhist symbolism, and a traditional Japanese tea ceremony in the ACMI function space.
THE PROGRAMME
Friday 30th October and Saturday 31st October, 6.15pm
The Dhamma Brothers
Director: Jenny Phillips, Anne Marie Stein and Andrew Kukura
Running time: 76 mins
Country: US
Year: 2007
Language: English
A dramatic tale of human potential and transformation, this documentary chronicles the stories of prison inmates at Donaldson Correctional Facility through and after an arduous Vipassana meditation program. It has the power to dismantle stereotypes about men behind prison bars, and n the words of Sister Helen Prejean (Dead Man Walking), ‘it gives you hope for the human race’.
Friday 30th October, 9.15pm
Meditate and Destroy
Director: Sarah Fisher
Running time: 80 minutes
Country: US
Year: 2007
Language: English
This film contains strong language and drug references.
A documentary about rebellion, punk rock, and spirituality through the eyes of best-selling author Noah Levine (Dharma Punx, Against the Stream). This powerful film examines the driving forces that transformed Levine from an addicted rebel into a Buddhist teacher and community leader. Tattoos, motorbikes, and a punk rock soundtrack provide the backdrop for an inspirational story of finding new paths even in our darkest hours.
Saturday 31st October, 12.45pm
Wheel of Time
Director: Werner Herzog
Running time: 81 minutes
Year: 2003
Language: English with some English subtitles
Veteran director Werner Herzog’s documentation of Tibetan Buddhist tradition, covering a massive Buddhist festival in India, the ritual construction of a sand mandala in Austria, and Buddhist pilgrimage to a sacred mountain. “With minimal explanation, it puts you right in the center” (Stephen Holden, New York Times).
Saturday 31st October, 2.00-3.00pm
Public talk: Unlock the Buddha Code
Beautiful Buddhist statues and artwork adorn palaces, temples, museums and humble abodes around the world. They can even be bought in homeware stores, yet few people understand the meaning of these figures - their posture, hand gestures, colour and expressions. Each figure is rich with meaning and symbolism.
Gain insight into the religious, cultural and artistic aspects of Buddha figures in this entertaining talk by the Senior Venerable Thich Phuoc Tan OAM, Abbot of Quang Minh Temple in Braybrook.
Visit Quang Minh Temple.
Saturday 31st October, 3.45pm
Amongst White Clouds
Director: Edward A Burger
Running time: 86 minutes
Country: China
Year: 2005
Language: English and Chinese with English subtitles
An intimate insider’s look at students and masters living in scattered retreats dotting China’s Zhongnan Mountain Range. These peaks have been home to recluses since the time of the Yellow Emperor, some 5000 years ago. It was widely thought that the tradition was all but wiped out, but this film emphatically and beautifully shows us otherwise. The film includes interviews with several students and masters about their practice and insights towards enlightenment, and the simplicity of their lives.
Sunday 1st November, 12.45pm
The Devotion of Matthieu Ricard
Director: George Schouten,
Babeth M. VanLoo
Running time: 60 minutes
Country: The Netherlands
Year: 2008
Language: English with some English subtitles
Matthieu Ricard left a promising career in cellular genetics in France 40 years ago to devote himself to study Buddhism in the Himalayas. Since then he has lived with the greatest living teachers of that tradition. He was a close disciple of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, and since Khyentse Rinpoche's death in 1991 he has devoted his life, together with Rabjam Shechen Rinpoche, to the completion of projects initiated by Khyentse Rinpoche.
A best-seller author (The Monk and the Philosopher, Happiness) and well-known photographer, Ricard captures the spiritual life of his surroundings with his camera. As a trained scientist and Buddhist monk, he mediates the dialogue between Tibetan Buddhism and the West with understanding and compassion.
This film explores the many phases and aspects of Matthieu Ricard’s life, ‘the happiest man alive’ as Time magazine calls him. We see him accompanying HH the Dalai Lama as his personal interpreter, as an active participant in the current scientific research on the effects of meditation on the brain, and working on humanitarian projects in different locations in Asia, including Tibet, Nepal and India.
Sunday 1st November, 2.00-3.00pm
Traditional Japanese tea ceremony
Join us for this special Buddhist Film Festival event. Numbers are limited to 100,
so book early - on the ACMI website. Presented by the Chado Urasenke Association.
The custom of drinking tea was introduced to Japan in the 12th century, and first used by Zen monks to relieve drowsiness during meditation. Later, members of the aristocracy and upper-class samurai drank it for its medicinal properties. In the 16th century Sen Rikyu brought philosophical, religious, artistic, moral and social aspects to the simple custom of tea-drinking, to form a comprehensive synthesis of Japanese culture which became Chado, the Way of Tea.
Throughout the following 400 years, Chado has been continued by the descendants and disciples of Rikyu. The Urasenke tradition of Tea, is headed by Soshitsu Sen, the fifteenth-generation direct descendant of Sen Rikyu. Under Soshitsu Sen's leadership, there are now more than two million studying Chado in Japan and throughout the world.
The essence of Chado is found in four principles: harmony, respect, purity and tranquility. Harmony means the pleasing consonance brought about by the interaction of the host, guest, tea, utensils, cuisine, with the flowing rhythms of nature. Respect is having a pure and sincere heart which recognises the intrinsic dignity of our fellow human beings, our environment and nature. Purity is cleaning our bodies and spirits and keeping our surroundings immaculate to enjoy tea. Tranquility, the last principle, is achieved when the other three principles are brought to reality. It is the stillness which comes from a heart that is set free from the cares of the world, that is, a peaceful heart.
In Chado, differences of rank and station in life are cast aside, and like-minded people are brought together to enjoy tea. Chado exalts the spirit which values human relationships. The special nature of the moment is expressed in the phrase "Ichigo, ichie" (once in a lifetime opportunity). The host puts his entire heart into making the tea for the guests he has welcomed, and the guest drinks the tea with a feeling of gratitude for the host's efforts. The host and the guests realise this particular moment will not return, and treasuring its transcience, all share the special nature of the unique experience. Because the Way of Tea teaches humans - who cannot know the future - about life and how to live each day fully, its philosophy is able to transcend barriers of race and nationality. The phase "Peacefulness through a bowl of tea" expresses the strong desire of the fifteenth-generation grand master of Urasenke, Dr Soshitsu Sen, to contribute to world peace and to the happiness of the human being though Chado.
Sunday 1st November, 3.45pm
The Book of the Dead
Director: Kihachiro Kawamoto
Running time: 70 mins
Country: Japan
Year: 2005
Language: Japanese with English subtitles
This exquisite, haunting Japanese stop-motion animation drama is based on a tale from the Nara period (8th century). A young noblewoman studies the new religion of Buddhism, hand-copying sutras (Buddhist scriptures), trying to understand the teachings of the Buddha.
One evening, after copying a thousand pages of sutras, she sees a radiant figure above a distant mountain. Believing this figure to be the Buddha, she follows him to a temple, where she realises that the figure is the executed prince Otsu, who wanders in torment between this world and the next. The two forge a bond, which ultimately allows the prince to find rest. The director, Kihachiro Kawamoto, has said that the film is dedicated to all the innocent people who have died in recent wars.
Ticket prices for films
Single sessions
Full: $15
Concession: $10
4-session pass
Full: $50
Concession: $30
Ticket prices for special events
(public talk and tea ceremony)
Full: $20
Concession: $15
Enquiries & phone bookings
(03) 8663 2583
Information
(03) 8663 2200
Daily 10am to 6pm (AEST)
info@acmi.net.au
Source: ACMI Buddhist Film Festival
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