Kundun

"I see a safe journey, I see a safe return."

"They have taken away our silence."

"I believe I am a reflection, like a moon on water. When you see me, and I try to be a good man, you see yourself."

'Kundun' means 'The Presence' which incredibly personifies the overall feeling of the depictions of the Dalai Lama in this film. I had the pleasure of watching this classic and historical film 'Kundun' which follows the re-discovery, childhood into adulthood of Tibet's 14th Dalai Lama. Written by Melissa Mathison and directed by the lovable Martin Scorsese, this 1997 dramatic biography was nominated for 4 Oscars, and received 5 wins and 4 other nominations.

Starring unknowns like Tenzin Yeshi Paichang, Tulku Jamyang Kunga Tenzin, Gyurme Tethong and Tenzin Thuthob Tsarong whom played the Dalai Lama during different stages of his life and others, I must say that the story was exceptionally told and clearly illustrated the violent Chinese persecution and problems he dealt with at that time and still to this day. It was wonderful to bring this film to the west allowing the masses through film to understand the complexity of this war and gain knowledge of the height of calamity and terrible domination that the Tibetan people endured.

Beautifully shot, lovely cinematography and soundtrack; this is one that will be remembered for all time. It was interesting to know that Scorsese had such respect and admiration for the Dalai Lama and Buddhist philosophy as he dedicated this film to his mother Catherine Scorsese. He said that "…the Dalai Lama represents unconditional love, and to me my mother was the closest person with that kind of love".

Hugo

Yes! I had the pleasure of seeing this 2011 Martin Scorsese film in 3D; what a wonderful surprise that a fantastic new friend would scoop me out of my lonely apartment and treat me to such a lovely film! Rêve! A dream indeed, in every sense of the way! Certainly I’d say, in the forerunning of the nominated films for the Academies next year; a confident prediction for even a novice film buff.

Set in the 1930’s in arguably one of the most romantic and beautiful cities and birthplace of Film, Paris; it is the journey of young Hugo. Filled with enchantment, history, mystery, and splendid secrets sprinkled and carefully revealed throughout. It was a film not only for entertainment and awe, but fascination and education, just the same.

Asa Butterfield, the brilliant blue-eyed main character you may remember from Nanny McPhee, or The Boy In the Striped Pajamas, took us on the exciting and unbelievable adventure of Hugo. Captivating at every angle, he brought the main character’s wants and dreams to life. Gifted Chloe Grace Moretz co-starred as Isabelle and both she and Asa not only had the pleasure of learning and working with a grand director like Scorsese but also along with other greats like Sir Ben Kingsley, Jude Law, Sacha Baron Cohen, Emily Mortimer and Helen McCrory.

Executed in the most ideal way, Scorsese adapted John Logan and Brian Selznick’s story to grandeur heights. It’s a story about the birth of film, of disappointment, of orphans, of fathers and sons and of happy endings that don’t only happen in the movies. Had I watched it alone, I could very well shed a few tears, but I held it together quite well, instead enjoying how the film melted my heart with marvelous metaphors of the moon which I love so much. If you know nothing about Georges Méliès, born in Paris 1861, writer, director and producer of ‘A Trip To The Moon’ among scores of other films; and you say you want to work in the film business, well then, you ought to see this movie!

It’s an exciting voyage explaining simply how things work, though intricate and sometimes convoluted, enormously necessary and purposeful right down to the very core! Encore! La France longtemps de phase!