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Why Has Bodhi-Dharma Left for the East? (1989)

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Movie Info

The title refers to a Zen riddle for which there is no answer. Noted painter Bae Yong-kyun spent several years devoted to carefully and lovingly creating this challenging, meditative and exquisitely photographed film. A young man aspires to the priestly life and so travels to a remote mountain hermitage to study under an aged Zen Master whose corporeal days are numbered. The master lives alone there with a small orphan boy. As the days slowly pass, the master occasionally shares his wisdom with

Unrated, 2 hr. 17 min.

Art House & International, Drama

Oct 16, 2007

Cast

All Critics (11) | Top Critics (2) | Fresh (7) | Rotten (0) | DVD (5)

I occasionally found myself lost in thought and found the film an overall worthwhile experience.

January 10, 2008 Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | Comment
Combustible Celluloid

... one of the most physically beautiful films ever made, sumptuous and sensuous, full of delicate and quiet imagery.

November 30, 2007 Full Review Source: MSN.com | Comment
MSN.com

a difficult movie of unorthodox pacing and presentation

November 6, 2007 Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | Comment
Filmcritic.com

... amazingly beautiful, as every frame puts you in mind of a painting by Rousseau or Joseph Turner.

October 21, 2007 Full Review | Comment
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Attempts to express what is inexpressible and does it better than any previous film of this type.

December 30, 2005 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | Comment
Ozus' World Movie Reviews
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Audience Reviews for Why Has Bodhi-Dharma Left for the East?

I dunno. I must be stupid because I could not get into this movie. I'd start it and watch like fifteen minutes, then turn it off, then start it again in a day or two. It's slow and kinda boring, and the scenes aren't shot in a particularly beautiful or moving way or anything.But so many people I love and whose

June 22, 2008
egwong
Eric Wong

Too slow and contemplative for my tastes. Great visuals. Slow story. The Bodhi-Dharma left for the East because the Westerners got bored!

June 22, 2008
igotthisblaster
Han Solo

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Foreign Titles

  • Why Has Bodhi Dharma Left For the East? (DE)
  • Why Has Bodhi Dharma Left For the East? (UK)
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