The Cup

From Sunday 14 June 2009

The Cup
Prayer. Meditation. Rituals. . . Soccer?

A film by Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche aka Khyentse Norbu.
Filmed at Chokling monastery in the Indian Himalayas. 2000.
 

Sunday 14 June at 6.15pm
At Labia on Orange
Book
with Labia at 021 424 5927
Ticket
R40 includes a glass of wine or fruit juice after the screening
Running time
94 minutes

World soccer fever sweeps into a remote Himalayan monastery and centuries-old traditions are threatened. The young monks will do just about anything to watch the final match, posing a unique challenge to the venerable lamas in charge. An engaging tale of colliding cultures, midnight escapes and heart-warming solutions.


Based on a 95% true story, The Cup is filmed by Buddhist monk Khyentse Norbu from Bhutan. Although Norbu never received formal training in filmmaking, he served as an apprentice under Bernardo Bertolucci in Little Buddha, and received his cinematic training by watching many films.

In the beginning, a group of red and saffron-robed trainees kicking around a Coke can, soccer style. The schoolmaster breaks up the game and retrieves the can, which soon becomes part of a Coke-can shrine/incense holder for the Buddha—one of many connections between the sacred and the secular world.

If a problem can be solved, why be unhappy?
If a problem cannot be solved, what’s the use of being unhappy?

A few bits of Buddhist wisdom are incorporated into the story, but Norbu’s tight constructed film is impressive. The ambiguous ending is clever. "What’s all the fuss about endings?”


 


 

Regular Screenings
CAPE TOWN:
Labia on Orange
Last Sunday of every month at 6.15pm plus some additional bonus screenings.
Tel 021 424 5927
www.labia.co.za

PLETTENBERG BAY:

Sat Chit Anand Retreat Centre
Last Thursday of month at 7.00pm. Cost R40 includes teas and cake afterwards.
Longstone Road, Plett.
Tel 044 533 0453.
satchitanand@global.co.za  www.satchitanand.co.za

JOHANNESBURG:
The Bioscope
286 Fox Street, Johannesburg

For info on screenings please mail info@thebioscope.co.za

SIMONS TOWN

New: First Wednesday of the new month two screenings at Simon's Town museum: 11am and 6.30pm.
Watch this space!  Call Simon's Town musuem at 021 786 3046

Wed 4 August
Simon’s Town Museum

Book with Museum at 021 786 3046 or just arrive!

Tuesdays with Morrie

Morning show: 11am
Ticket: Morning R20.

Facing Death: the Life of Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

Evening show: 6.30pm

R30 includes a glass of wine /juice before the screening from 6.00pm.

Archive
Please click here for info on films screened previously by Exploring Consciousness.