(was at)
Webster University Film Series
My review:
Neo-realism from Italy? No, but overflowing with what is “real” for Tibetan exiles – across time and space.
“I am not afraid of dying, I am afraid of living.” – Yeshi Silvano Namkhai
Everybody would like to be somewhat normal and function well within the society they are born into – even in Italy – BUT if you are the son of Rinpoche Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, a Tibetan tulku (high-ranking) lama, maybe things could be different.
Do you yearn for a good father or for a good teacher? Do your dreams surprise you and predict future events? The bonds of time may be quite different in Tibet than in Italy… so are you going to be able to get back to your knowledge? A rare window onto the flow of Tibetan generations and the passing of the baton, a legacy of wisdom and the responsibilities that come with that treasure. Smoothly digs into life as a teaching not to escape from. –>A
The Film’s Website
&
– Resources Listed There –
http://youtu.be/BfJtcRxw3eo
Not from the film but about Dzogchen teaching:
I think that the notion of “passing the batton” is an important one. Several recognized tulkus, the most famous one being Gesar Mukpo, the son of Chogyam Trunpa, who have chosen not to take up the responsibility of being part of the preservation of the tradition. Yeshe Namkhai was on the borderline. I met him when he was 12 and took teachings from him when he was 14. He did accompany his father to the first two retreats in the US, 1980-81. I think that the movie put a bit of too much emphasis of whether or not Namkhai Norbu was a good father. Jeniffer shot a lot of footage over 20 years, and the theme came into focus a few years ago, and then archival material had to be found. I was disappointed in the fact that the movie did not portray enough of the multidmensional aspects of the Dzog Chen Community and the passions of NNR, such as translating the most basic texts in Dzog Chen, and keeping Tibetan culture alive.
I would not be surprised that your perspective is shared by many others in the Dzog Chen community but as an outsider, and a movie-goer, the film carried a great deal of passion, especially in the (overall) silent bond between father and son.