Bhutanese director Neten Chokling's fantasy Milarepa mounts and cinematizes an ancient Buddhist legend -- a moral fable from the eponymous monk's colorful early life. The story unfolds in the 11th century, when Milarepa (Jamyang Lodro) -- christened Thopaga -- unexpectedly loses his father, and finds his life plunged into a bleak hell. His vile aunt and uncle, Peydon and Gyalsten (played by Lhakpa Tsamchoe and Gonpo, respectively), seize control of the deceased's inheritance and force Thopaga, his mother, Kargyen (Kelsang ...
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Bhutanese director Neten Chokling's fantasy Milarepa mounts and cinematizes an ancient Buddhist legend -- a moral fable from the eponymous monk's colorful early life. The story unfolds in the 11th century, when Milarepa (Jamyang Lodro) -- christened Thopaga -- unexpectedly loses his father, and finds his life plunged into a bleak hell. His vile aunt and uncle, Peydon and Gyalsten (played by Lhakpa Tsamchoe and Gonpo, respectively), seize control of the deceased's inheritance and force Thopaga, his mother, Kargyen (Kelsang Chukie Tethtong), and his sister, Peta (Tashi Lhamo), into a period of seemingly limitless domestic slavery. When Thopaga turns 16, Kargyen seizes the opportunity to throw an engagement party for him, hoping that she can use the circumstances to reclaim property and title. The townspeople fail to come to her aid, however, causing Kargyen to spur Thopaga onward toward an apprenticeship in the dark arts and an onslaught of ugly, black magic-fueled revenge. In the end, her plan backfires -- thus demonstrating the nasty consequences for anyone who seeks unbridled vengeance against evildoers. Nathan Southern, Rovi
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This is one of those magical films made by a group of Buddhist monks--- in this case, under the direction of Bhutanese Neten Chokling. "Milarepa" covers the first half of the life of the Tibetan saint, in which he becomes a sorcerer and murderer in the pursuit of revenge against greedy relatives and townspeople. It is beautiful cinematically (after all, it is in the Himalayas!), faithful to the familiar story, and gracefully acted by the monks and actors. Its honest and realistic tone draws the observer into empathy with the young man, and its conclusion as he undertakes karmic recovery leaves us very anxious for Part 2, which should be done in '09 or '10. This is a good story even for those who don't already know and love the father of the Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. Enthusiastically recommended!
