Little Buddha (1994)

Synopsis: A Tibetan monk known as Lama Norbu (Ying Ruocheng), living in exile in Bhutan, is searching for the reincarnation of his teacher, Lama Dorje. His quest takes him to Seattle, where signs indicate... A Tibetan monk known as Lama Norbu (Ying Ruocheng), living in exile in Bhutan, is searching for the reincarnation of his teacher, Lama Dorje. His quest takes him to Seattle, where signs indicate that a boy named Jesse may be the lama. Bernardo Bertolucci 's tale is less hermetically sealed than THE LAST EMPEROR or THE SHELTERING SKY; cultures collide when we meet the boy's American parents (Bridget Fonda and actor/singer Chris Isaak), who are understandably skeptical about Lama Norbu's excitement. Ultimately, Jesse and his father are curious enough to travel to Nepal and Bhutan (as did Bertolucci's crew), where other candidates have been identified. Throughout the film, Bertolucci cuts to episodes in the life of Siddhartha (Keanu Reeves), whose voyage of discovery 2,500 years ago led to his enlightenment as the Buddha. Bertolucci shoots Siddhartha's journey in rich reds and golds, while the scenes in Seattle--where the Americans seem morose and lost--are muted in cool blue. LITTLE BUDDHA is an intimate story in which an ancient system of belief holds its own in the modern world. [More]

Starring: Keanu Reeves, Bridget Fonda, Chris Isaak, Ying Ruicheng

Starring: Keanu Reeves, Bridget Fonda, Chris Isaak, Ying Ruicheng, Alex Wiesendanger

Director: Bernardo Bertolucci

Director: Bernardo Bertolucci

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