Unmistaken Child
by Nati Baratz
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Lama Konchog, The Dalai LamaDirector: Nati Baratz
Brand: Oscilloscope Laboratories
DVD: Region Code 0
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Subtitled); English (Dubbed)
Format: Color, Dubbed, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Surround Sound, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.66:1
Running Time: 102 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2009-11-03
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Oscilloscope Laboratory
Product features:
- UNMISTAKEN CHILD (DVD MOVIE)
Movie Reviews of Unmistaken Child
Movie Review: Warm, humorous, surprisingly accessible
Summary: 5 Stars
Unmistaken Child
Dir Nati Baratz.
Warm, humorous, surprisingly accessible 5*
The local reviewer had made "Unmistaken Child" sound like an exercise in comparative religion and anthropology, a bit daunting and probably opaque to the non-initiated. I had read some Tibetan Buddhism decades ago, and of course read or watch the news about the continuing saga of the Dalai Lama and his following, so I decided to go anyway and was very pleasantly surprised. Instead of a hard slog, the film immediately grabbed me and I soon felt like I was scrambling through the Himalayan rocks with the disciple Tenzin Zopa. It didn't hurt that Tenzin was a charming and shyly charismatic young man with excellent English. While this film will take you very far away from New York or Oshkosh, it is a good trekking guide and if you are the sort who has any interest in seeing it to start with you should find it a joy to watch.
The story in brief: Tenzin had been the disciple of the renowned Geshe Lama Konchog for 21 years, beginning at age 7, when the Lama died at age 84, in 2001. After a period of mourning, it is determined that Tenzin must search for the reincarnation of Geshe-la so that the child may be given the chance to become a monk. The quest begins with a round of consultations, even leading down into India and the Tibetan exile community, dream interpretations and an astrological consultation ... via video from Taiwan! The contrast of the jetsetting lifestyle (accepted with aplomb) with Tenzin's more natural life in the mountains, is both instructive and the source of some gentle humor. Once Tenzin has narrowed the search down to a particular valley, and gotten instruction on what to look for, he takes off on foot, seeking for the reincarnated master, who would now be nearing 2 years old. Some parents advocate for their children, but he must be careful to choose the "unmistaken child." The simplest tests involve, for instance, showing the child several objects and seeing if he is attracted to the one that actually belonged to Lama Konchog. He finally does find "the one," a cheerful and outgoing child and we then follow Tenzin and the boy.
Throughout there is much beautiful scenery, insights into the lives of people in isolated Himalayan communities, and the pageantry and rituals of Tibetan Buddhism. To anyone fascinated with this region, this will be instructive eye candy.
As to reincarnation? The film is hardly didactic on this issue. I think you will take from it what you bring. If you are a believer (as one reviewer of the theater release seemed to be), you may see it as evidence confirming that belief, but if a skeptic you are unlikely to be convinced. But, as the director says in the press kit available on line, that is really beside the point. It is Tenzin's belief and how he acts upon it that is important.
By the way, do look up the official website and the press kit, which has a long and interesting description of the process of filming. I hope some of that makes it onto the DVD.
Summary of Unmistaken Child
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