Synopsis
The Tibetans refer to the Dalai Lama as 'Kundun', which means 'The Presence'. He was forced to escape from his native home, Tibet, when communist China invaded and enforced an oppressive regime upon the peaceful nation. The Dalai Lama escaped to India in 1959 and has been living in exile in Dharamsala ever since.
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Cast
- Tenzin Thuthob TsarongDalai Lama (Adult)
- Tencho GyalpoMother
- Tsewang Migyur KhangsarFather
- Gyurme TethongDalai Lama (Age 12)
- Robert LinChairman Mao
- Tulku Jamyang Kunga TenzinDalai Lama (Age 5)
- Tenzin Yeshi PaichangDalai Lama (Aged 2)
- Tenzin TopjarLobsang (5-10)
- Tenzin LodoeTakster
- Geshi Yeshi GyatsoLama of Sera
Recommendations
- 100
Chicago Reader
Throughout the film cause and effect, the mainspring of most narratives, is replaced by a sense of spiritual synchronicity. - 100
New York Daily News
Brilliant. [24 December 1997, p. 24] - 90
Newsweek
Think of it as an epic poem, in which Scorsese's swirling, headlong baroque camera searches paradoxically for the stillness at the meditative heart of Buddhism. [22 December 1997, p. 86] - 80
Salon
Kundun, which was written by Melissa Mathison ("E.T.") from interviews conducted with the Dalai Lama, doesn't make you greedy for its images the way some gorgeous films do. It allows you to drink each one in tranquilly. - 75
Chicago Sun-Times
It provides a deep spirituality, but denies the Dalai Lama humanity; he is permitted certain little human touches, but is essentially an icon, not a man. - 70
The New York Times
It's all very beautiful, not to mentioned high-minded. But the loftiness comes at a sacrifice. - 70
Variety
Ultimately Kundun emerges as a movie that's hypnotic without being truly compelling, sensuously stunning but not illuminating. - 70
Washington Post
May not be the ultimate word on the Tibetan situation, or even the Dalai Lama, but its heart seems to be in the right place; and it's entertaining enough to give audiences an emotional sense of the story. [16 January 1998, p.N32]
