La coupe

Phorpe or The Cup is probably the best foreign film I have ever seen, no kidding. It excels beyond a limit in every area, the acting from the young Budhist children are excellent, while the screenplay is brilliant and original. Phorpe (The Cup) is simply one of the best, most intriguing, and most original films I have seen in a long time.

In short, it is exactly the sort of movie New Zealand should be making. A funny, touching and exquisite picture that should be cherished.

Rating: 9

Being that two of my many passions in life are soccer and movies I was very interested in seeing this film.

Needless to say, I really enjoyed it. Sometimes a little slow but more than makes up for it. Besides having some VERY funny moments and wonderful characters (that kid was just a scream) the movie really de-mystefies the budhist monks that Westerners seem to sterotype as extremely devoted and mystical.

In reality they are just like us. They have their passions, and joke about everything just like everyone else. They are shown in this film for what the truly are, 'human'. Sure the movie shows the practices which is interesting to see, but it then shows scenes of the devotees, talking about girls, fascinated by the outside world (soccer), not practing their studies, being lazy, and acting just like everyday people.

Great fun film.

Rating 8 out of 10

PS - Yes I'd try my darndest too to not miss the World Cup final.

This film is an authentic look at the situation that many young Tibetan men and boys find themselves in following the Chinese occupation of Tibet. But the film doesn't dwell on Tibetan politics, it is a light-hearted and elegantly-simple film inspired by true events at a Tibetan monastery-in-exile in Bhutan, where young Buddhist monks develop an interest in the World Cup soccer final.

The Abbot of the monastery and the older Lamas just have no idea what soccer is, and there is a humorous scene where the old Lama is sleeping in the sun and the young monk Orgyen comes up to him:

Orgyen: "Do a prediction for us Lama"; Old Lama: "Can't you see I'm busy!"; Orgyen: "At least say prayers for France"; Old Lama: "Are they sick?!!?"

And when everyone has seen the World Cup final, the serious Buddhist message comes home, in a beautiful way...

"If a problem can be solved, why be unhappy? And if it cannot, what is the use of being unhappy?"

'The Cup' contrasts strongly with earlier big-budget, stylised, productions about Tibetan Buddhism such as 'Seven Years in Tibet' and 'Kundun'. It is in the same vein as 'Samsara', which is also a very good film.

PS Director Khyentse Norbu (who is said to be a re-incarnate Lama) also has a new movie out -- 'Travellers and Magicians' (2003).

Tired of having to take your kids to formula movies from Hollywood? This terrific film is set in a world unfamiliar to most kids, yet they will discover that basic behavior is much the same everywhere. They will enjoy the familiar themes of school pranks, soccer mania, or group effort towards a "cause", but in an environment drastically different from the cliche American suburbia.

What a funny, charming movie. It's nice to know that boys will be boys, wherever they are. Even while in exile in a monastery. The scene of them looking at girls in magazines is great. The fact that it's based on true events makes it all the more charming. I loved it!