Quartile rating: 7.5/10 · 1 rating
The Tibetans refer to the Dalai Lama as 'Kundun', which means 'The Presence'. He was forced to escape from his native home, Tibet, when communist China invaded and enforced an oppressive regime upon the peaceful nation. The Dalai Lama escaped to India in 1959 and has been living in exile in Dharamsala ever since.
Kundun is visually stunning, with Roger Deakins' luminous cinematography capturing the majesty of Tibet and the spiritual world of the Dalai Lama in painterly, meditative frames. Philip Glass's hypnotic score amplifies the film's otherworldly atmosphere. Scorsese's approach is deliberately unconventional — structured more as a spiritual meditation than a conventional biopic, which gives it remarkable novelty and a singular voice. However, the non-professional cast and intentionally distanced performances divide audiences; while authentic, the acting lacks dramatic dynamism. The plot, though historically rich, unfolds episodically and can feel inert. The ending, depicting exile, carries emotional weight but arrives somewhat abruptly given the film's contemplative pace.