Customer Reviews

The Cup [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.4 Import - Australia ]

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"The Cup" means the World Cup, the most prestigious and exciting competition of football (or socceer, if you live in America) held every 4 year. This charming small film, first ever produced in Bhutan (actually co-produced with Australia), shows the slice of life in a monastery on the Tibetian mountainside, where novice boy monk Orgyen, while being trained to learn the teaching of Buddism, is so eager to watch the final between Brazil and France that he tries to have the master's permission. But can he?

This delightful drama, directed by Khyentse Norbu, himself a very respected monk, displays what you will never see in Hollywood pictures, but it doesn't end there. The fact is, the director, clearly a connoisseur of film with good eyes, knows how to make a good film. "The Cup" not only lets you get inside the life of monastery, but presents a colorful, well-drawn characters as if recording their daily lives. Free from didactic tones or preaching messages, the film fares slowly but steadily, showing us the life among the Tibetian mountains are not totally free from Western civilizations. The boy monks want to see football games on TV, so they sneaks out at night to watch it at village (only to be thrown out, making too much noise there ... oh, just like any ordinary kids do). Just sit back and immerse yourself in the slow stream of time there, then you get yourself blissful time of watching good cinema, pleasantly guided by the director's light but sure handling.

The film also shows the glimpse of political climate around Tibet, which was previously cited in Brad Pitt's "Seven Years in Tibet." Two of the monks there are exiles from Tibet, and the Abbot, after long absence from his home, always dreams of going back, packing his things in the room. These slight allusions to the current politics surrounding Tibet should not be missed.

Though the director Norbu is born in Bhutan, the film is in fact shot in the north part of India, with all actual monks. So the kind-hearted Abbot is played by himself, so is Geko, a bit strict teacher and master at the monastery. Most of the monks are actually living in the monastery where the film is shot, so Jamyang Lordo, as the cute main boy character (wearing a yellow T-shirt of football superstar Ronaldo), is really studying at this place. Besides these facts, the moody photography capturing the beautiful and serene country renders this wonderful film all the more authentic and charming.

Speaking of authenticity, the boy monk Lordo is really the son of Orgyen Tobgyal, as Geko. And though the music is sparce, you can hear the traditional singing style of "Hoomii," buzzing-like voice as if uttering high and low voice together. Lovers of those still hidden ethinic treasures, watch it.

This film is co-executive-produced by Jeremy Thomas, responsible for "The Last Emperor."

Are you looking for something completely different? How about a subtitled film set in the northern reaches of India, concerning young monks at a monestery, in exile from Tibet, and their obsession over the '98 World Cup (football/soccer).

That's about as far away from some trite Hollywood formula movie as you can get, and this little movie will redeem your faith in the magic of film. No sweeping, overwrought soundtrack...no big name stars...no onscreen violence. Instead, a deep, thoughtful movie that manages to maintain a level of sweet humor throughout. One typical scene: two young monks at prayer service...one secretly passes a note to another...the translation: "Brazil vs. Argentina tonight." It's just not something you're anticipating (at all) at that point and it succeeds in altering your expectations of what's to come.

One note of caution: I found I really had to crank the TV to hear the dialogue and capture the intonations of the voices. Thank god for legible subtitles.

I've been fascinated by Tibetan monks lately and looked forward to this video with anticipation after hearing that the film had won acclaim at the Cannes Film Festival. The director/writer, Khyentse Norbu, grew up in a monastery and brings to the viewer an inside look at Tibetan culture.

The story takes place in a Tibetan monastery in India where Tibetan children are brought, often smuggled out of Tibet over the Himalayas, their lives at risk. China now controls Tibet and their parents send them to the monastery for safety and to have them brought up with a traditional Buddhist education.

It is a place of peace, reverence and simplicity. It is also the place where the young boys play jokes on each other and find it hard to concentrate on the long hours of prayer. Another thing they are obsessed with is soccer and the World Cup finals. At first they sneak out of the monastery to view the games on TV at a local shop, but later they convince Abbott to let them rent a TV for the night of the big World Cup finals.

Of course there are complications. And a happy ending.

The most striking thing about the movie, however, was the deep insight into life at the monastery and the characterization of the young monks. Starring Jamyang Lodro as Orgyen, a 14-year old monk with a winning personality, there is an feeling of authenticity throughout. The audience learns about food, customs, and the way of life of these simple people. And it also learns about their humanity.

The film opens up a world that has existed for centuries and yet has been unexplored by modern film. And underneath it all is a simple and positive message of Buddhist philosophy.

First of all, the film is a peek into a unique way of life: the monks of Tibetan Buddhism, forced out of Chinese-occupied Tibet, now living in India. Second, the perspective of a young, soccer-obsessed student monk whose love of soccer leads him to make exhaustive efforts to obtain a TV for the monks to view the World Cup competition. Based on true events, this film is a very human, charming and entertaining story that I have watched many times and loved it every time! I never tire of this lovely film.

I saw this dvd by chance in German on a visit to Austria. Having been a student of meditation for many years I found the title intriguing and bought it. What a great buy it was!. The world of tibetian traditions, already challenged by recent political events, provide the spiritual background for this delightfully human encounter with young monk's aspirations, the challenges of a new world outside the monestary, and the importance of following what is in the heart. I highly recommend this dvd not only to adults but to their soccerfan children. It is full of cultural information while showing the spiritual and human connection we are all capable of.

The Cup is based on the true story of a group of young Buddhist monks obsessed with soccer. The film focuses on their struggle to watch the World Cup soccer matches on TV, trying not to get caught by the older monks, who seem not to understand the youngsters fascination with the senseless game. The film beautifully combines great humor, and important life lessons. It contains many memorable scenes, such as the one of the young monk, sporting a green under-shirt with Rolando's name and team number. The only regreat I have about this film, is that it was on limited release. This is a great film for all movie lovers, and why not, I think soccer fans will enjoy it as well. It does have some great scenes of the young monks playing soccer with a coke can.

I cannot reccommend The Cup too highly! It is a DVD to be watched over and over. Peaceful and with a deceptively 'ordinary' plot, I found it very suspenseful on first viewing. It abounds with quiet humour but it never lacks tension. The "actors" are all to be congratulated, as is Khyentse Norbu himself. May he make many more movies!

Tibetan Buddhist monks living in peaceful exile and adjusting from a culture unchanged for centuries to the roller coaster of the modern world. Absolutely inspirational. The "actors" are all monks at the monastery in which the director/author, himself a Buddhist teacher, belongs. If you have any interest in cultural anthropology, this film will fulfill; and will enrich your life.

Gentle comedy from Bhutan about a young Buddhist monk, Orgyen (Jamyang Lodro), who is obsessed with soccer. He shares his enthusiasm with his fellow monks, but tries to keep it a secret from Geko (Orgyen Tobgyal, Jamyang's father) and the Abbot (Lama Chonjor). When Geko discovers that Orgyen and pals have been sneaking out nights to watch the 1998 World Cup games in town, they're duly punished. But a truce is eventually established between the soccer-loving monks and their protectors. Written, directed by and starring Buddhist monks, the film is set in an actual Tibetan monastery-in-exile.

Beautiful simple music and scenery
Humble disposition of life.

If you want to know what a movie can do to bring peace and betterment for life, watch this. No excessive simulation, effects, etc., with gentle storytelling imbued with wisdom of life: " if the problem can be solved, why worry? ..."

To increase appreciation, visit it's official website and find out more about the cast and director.