Film Review: “The Cup”

Film Review – Margaret – 6/10/00

I went to this film at short notice having heard only that a friend had found it entertaining – and it is, but it offers a great deal more than entertainment.

A surprising film The first word that comes to my mind to describe this film is ‘surprising’. It comes as a great surprise that a Buddhist monk, Khyentse Norbu, a well-known teacher of Tibetan Buddhism, should direct such a fine first full-length film. Next surprise, that the cast are genuine members of the community in a Tibetan monastery in northern India. Third surprise, that there should be such an obsession with soccer and intense interest in the World Cup among the monks in a Tibetan monastery. Fourth surprise, that I was watching the first film made in the Tibetan language.

A true story The film is based on fact. It has a simple and appealing plot with two main threads – the reactions of two boys sent from Tibet in 1998 to join the community, and the scheming of the young monks, led by the mischievous and determined Orgyen, to find a way to watch the World Cup.

Gentle humour There is plenty of appealing humour and ironic comment. For instance the boys get permission to bring in a TV and satellite dish when the Abbot is assured that there is no sex or warfare in the match. The monks will only watch as ‘two civilised nations fight over a ball’. I don’t agree with those who say that the film is hilarious, as the humour is gentle and made me smile rather than laugh heartily.

Young monks seen as normal boisterous young men Our images of the life of monks being always under a strict disciplinary regime are challenged by the portrayal of the young men’s youthful enthusiasms and pranks. They pass notes to each other during prayers. Some of them sneak out at night and go to the tavern to watch the televised soccer matches. They kick a can around as they clean their teeth. There is balance in the protrayal. We also see the serious side of their life as monks.

A range of themes In addition to the story of the young monks scheming and the two new boys adapting to a new life, there are other themes touched upon – how best to discipline boisterous young people, the pain of enforced exile from one’s homeland, the value of life in a community, the importance the Tibetan people place on education, the Chinese control of Tibet and the spiritual values of the monks.

Appropriately paced The unhurried pace of most of the action when compared with many frenetic modern films is appropriate for the setting and gives ample time for reading the English subtitles without distracting the viewer from appreciating the characterisation which is one of the strengths of the film. New facets of the monks’ characters are revealed as the action develops. Of course the pace increases when the young monks are frantically trying to collect the money needed to rent the TV and dish.

Serious thoughts at the close The film closes with the Abbot addressing the monks. He stresses how important it is for us to think of others and while not being able to put right all the world’s problems to realise that wherever we may be our efforts can make a difference. There is a closing set of titles giving recent news of the people in the story, and the last line is "The Chinese are still serving rice in Tibet."

I will remember this film as entertaining, enlightening and thought-provoking.