Buddhism
and The Silver Screen
Film Guide by Larry Rakow
.
Little
Buddha
(1993) (France) (123 minutes) (Bernardo Bertolucci, Director): Two
stories unfold in this cinematic gem from director Bernardo Bertolucci:
an historical account of the Buddha’s life (as portrayed by Keanu
Reeves) and the contemporary search by a Tibetan lama (Ying Ruocheng)
who believes that a Seattle child is the reincarnation of his former
teacher. A gentle and visually stunning introduction to Buddhism.
Sunday,
May 23 at 1:30pm, CSU University Center Building, Room 6. A special
Family Event. Short animated films will also be shown.
return
to the menu
.
Groundhog
Day
(1993) (USA) (103 minutes) (Harold Ramis, Director): The comic tale
of a self-centered weatherman (Bill Murray) who is forced to live the
same day over and over again. Love interest is provided by Rita (Andie
MacDowell), his put-upon producer, and comic relief by cameraman Larry
(Chris Elliott) Is this a heart-tugging comedy or a thinly disguised
exploration of reincarnation? Or both? You decide.
Thursday,
May 27 at 7:00pm, CSU Art Gallery.
return
to the menu
.
Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999)
(USA) (116 minutes) (Jim Jarmusch, Director):
What would it be like if a modern day hit man for the mob (Forest
Whitaker) attempted to live by the centuries-old code of a Japanese
warrior? Alternately humorous, violent, and downright strange, this is a
typical Jarmusch film and will leave audiences wondering and
thinking.
Thursday,
Jane 3 at 7:00pm, CSU Art Gallery.
return
to the menu
.
Jacob’s Ladder (1990)
(USA) (116 Minutes) (Adrian Lyne, Director): Vietnam veteran Jacob
Singer (Tim Robbins) thinks he’s suffering from post-traumatic stress
or drug induced hallucinations, but the visions and nightmares he’s
experiencing bear a dramatic relationship to the bardos described in the
Tibetan Book of the Dead. An unusual film in the tradition of
Ambrose Bierce’s haunting short story, “An Occurence at Owl Creek
Bridge.”
Thursday,
June 10 at 7:00pm, CSU Art Gallery
return
to the menu
Double
Feature:
.
In the Hands of Alchemy: The Art and Life of Jerry Wennstrom
(2001) (USA) (47 Minutes) (Mark Sadan and Phill Lucas, Directors):
Twenty years ago, painter Jerry Wennstrom was compelled to destroy his
entire life’s work and “live in the moment,” open to wherever that
might lead. A documentary
that explores a single artist’s remarkable vision.
.
Waking Life
(2001) (USA) (99 Minutes) (Richard Linklater, Director): An ingenious
combination of live action and animation, this film by Richard Linklater
investigates the thin line that separates our everyday existence from
the world of dreams.
Thursday,
June 17 at 7:00pm, CSU Art Gallery
return
to the menu
.
Enlightenment Guaranteed (2000)
(Germany) (105 Minutes) (Doris Dorrie, Director): Two German brothers
set out on a trip to a Japanese Zen monastery for entirely different
reasons, but have to navigate the fast-paced world of modern Tokyo
before reaching their destination. A very funny film about
self-discovery. (Thursday, June 24 at 7:00pm) CSU Art Gallery
return
to the menu
*****
Each
film in the Buddhism and the Silver Screen series is presented as part
of the Buddha Project sponsored by the CSU Art Gallery and running from
May 9 through July 3, 2004 at various venues. Each film in this series
will be preceded and/or followed by an introduction and
discussion. |
