Seven years in Tibet is a fabulous film. I totally loved it. The film tells the real-life story of Heinrich Harrer, an arrogant Austrian mountaineer who joins an expedition to scale Nanga Parbat, a mountain peak in the Himalayan ranges. The expedition fails as the team of mountaineers falls into the hands of British soldiers who clap them into a prison camp. After several unsuccessful attempts, Harrer manages to escape from the camp and make his way to the forbidden city, Lhasa. Here he meets His Holiness The Dalai Lama and from then on, his life is irrevocably changed.
The film is shot wonderfully and has excellent performances. For playing the part of Harrer, Brad Pitt had to pay the price of never being able to visit China. Or so a friend told me; so much for trivia. The young boy who plays the part of The Dalai Lama has done an outstanding job. There are some poignant scenes in the film which left me in tears.
DALAI LAMA: “Tell me a story, Heinrig.
(looks out at mountains)
Tell me a story about climbing mountains.”
HARRER
“That’s one way to fall asleep. Those stories bore even me.”
DALAI LAMA
“Then tell me what you love about it.”
Harrer wasn’t prepared for that.
HARRER
“What do I…?”
He thinks a moment.
HARRER
“The absolute simplicity. That’s what I love.
(pauses)
You have a purpose. Your mind is clear. And calm. Suddenly, the light becomes sharper. Sounds are richer. All you feel is the deep, powerful presence of life.
(pauses, embarrassed)
I’ve only felt that way one other time before.”
DALAI LAMA
“When?”
HARRER
“In your presence, Kundun.”
Harrer braved the British army, injury, avalanches and unfriendly Tibetans before he finally met His Holiness. I have had it a lot easier…
rileen says:
I absolutely loved that film – may well buy the DVD someday.
February 21, 2005 — 4:39 pm
Lakshmi says:
Worth every penny, I am sure!
February 21, 2005 — 6:06 pm
notanangel78 says:
I loved the movie too. I saw it long ago, and i wish i could see it again:)
February 21, 2005 — 5:35 pm
Lakshmi says:
What stops you, Roo-chi?
February 21, 2005 — 6:06 pm
radhika74 says:
nicely written post..makes me want to watch the movie.
February 21, 2005 — 6:08 pm
Lakshmi says:
🙂
Thanks!
You must watch the film… It’s not to be missed.
February 21, 2005 — 6:11 pm
lalunadiosa says:
It is one of my fave films as well…I had never watched it till last summer and I have seen it 3 times since!!!
I didn’t know you met Dalai Lama!!!!
How did I ever miss that???
February 21, 2005 — 6:16 pm
Lakshmi says:
🙂
Yasho, I was talking about His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.
Explains the pic?
February 21, 2005 — 6:19 pm
lalunadiosa says:
Harrer braved the British army, injury, avalanches and unfriendly Tibetans before he finally met His Holiness. I have had it a lot easier…
So I assumed you meant the same His Holiness!!!
And that you took this pic when you happened to meet both of them at the same time???
February 21, 2005 — 6:22 pm
Lakshmi says:
:-))
Nahin, yaar… I have not met His Holiness The Dalai Lama. But I have met His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. The pic is something I picked up from the Art of Living website in order to illustrate that I had far lesser trouble than Harrer in meeting my Guru!
February 21, 2005 — 6:27 pm
parag says:
Haven’t seen the movie yet. Now one more good review from you. Have to see it. BTW, who is this fellow with Dalai Lama?
February 21, 2005 — 6:23 pm
Lakshmi says:
The person with The Dalai Lama is Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the founder of the Art of Living Foundation.
February 21, 2005 — 6:28 pm
shri says:
I have seen this movie, but somewhere from the middle. Must see it sometime soon, and from the beginning!
February 21, 2005 — 8:50 pm
Lakshmi says:
You totally must!
February 22, 2005 — 5:47 am
hariputtar says:
the movie is quite touching. its not only about faith and divinity – it is also has a psychoanalytical angle to it. e.g. the feelings that brad pitt’s character must have had for his child that he has left behind in germany and the feelings that he has for the child-dalai-lama … this here seems to be a case of transference. for whatever reasons, its a wonderful movie.
climbing mountains: the simplicity of the act is really wonderful. once you have climbed your hill(s) – the view of the world is forever changed. you bring the perspective from the top, back with you.
February 22, 2005 — 12:29 am
Lakshmi says:
Hmmm… Somehow I can’t seem to understand that transference theory. I mean, I understand it but given the mental stature of His Holiness, it’s kinda tough to accept the transference theory.
But yes, it’s a lovely film!
February 22, 2005 — 5:49 am
vasanth says:
You write a lot about AOL. Do write to me something more about it when you have the time, am really curious ( But pls dont direct to a website. Would prefer first hand accounts from a person I know ).
February 22, 2005 — 9:51 am
Lakshmi says:
What do I tell you, Vasanth? It’s an experience and one that my words can never do any justice to…
Ok, Art of Living Foundation was started by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar 25 years back. In fact, AOL celebrates its silver jubilee in Feb 2006 and there is going to be a fantastic celebration at the B’lore Ashram. The foundation offers many amazing courses which are open to most people, if not all. AOL is also involved in a lot of service projects all over the world. AOL is the only NGO which is still operational in Iraq. In fact, AOL courses are conducted in Iraq also. I could go on and on… Instead, I’ll ask you to enrol for a Basic course and then the rest shall follow…
Hope this info helped!
February 22, 2005 — 10:09 am
vasanth says:
a lot of them I know are passionate about AOL.
Joining the AOL course, is a different thing. What sorta courses are these?
February 22, 2005 — 11:05 am
Lakshmi says:
There are many courses offered by AOL. The Part 1 course is an interactive workshop of 18 hours spread over 6 days. You learn many effective techniques that help you to deal with daily stresses. You also learn a special breathing technique called Sudarshan Kriya which you can practise daily. The Kriya is a very powerful technique that helps you release stress and toxins at the physical, mental and emotional level.
Part 2 course is mostly residential and it is a combination of silence, meditation, celebration and service. Sahaj Samadhi is a meditation technique taught at the Sahaj Samadhi course.
Apart from this, AOL also has very interesting courses for kids and teens. These courses are designed for youngsters and through fun processes, games and laughter, children are taught to handle various issues in life.
I know you didn’t want to check any website but here is a more detailed explanation of what I told you.
http://www.artofliving.org/courses.html
February 22, 2005 — 11:28 am
arunshanbhag says:
nice dialogue there with the DL. that exactly why I like the mountains and travelling.
update on AOL course. based on your past posts, I did contact the local group here and they have classes here, practically in my backyard, nearly every other month. I nearly signed up, but chickened out!
I was concerned that being extremely independent, I might rebel against some component of their teaching. That would have tarnished the standing of the AOL in my mind. I would rather find my own path or create one. Ofcourse, my cousins tell me this is fraught with danger as well – and at the very least time-consuming and inefficient. Gurus, they tell me, accelerate our development towards the ultimate ‘goal.’ Looks like I am destined to be that meandering river – slowly seeping to the ocean.
🙂
February 24, 2005 — 8:01 am
Lakshmi says:
Arun, I could try to tell you more right now but it won’t really make sense. I have just this to say: it’s a whole new experience. Go ahead, take a chance and try it… It’ll only have a positive impact on your life. At the least, you’ll discover a great way to relieve your daily stresses and maintain your sunny disposition all day long!
February 24, 2005 — 5:46 pm
savyasachi says:
I loved the depth of that film……
February 25, 2005 — 3:55 pm