The Cup

1999

The Cup (1999)

TOMATOMETER

85%
86%

Critic Consensus: No consensus yet.

AUDIENCE SCORE

86%

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Movie Info

A group of Tibetan monks finds themselves torn between spiritual enlightenment and their love for soccer in the comedy Phorpa/The Cup. In Northern India near the Himalayas, a band of Buddhist monks from Tibet have set up a monastery in exile from their native land. Under the gaze of their leaders -- firm-handed Geko and the Khempo, a more easy-going sort -- new students are instructed in Buddhist practices as the monks educate young children, who are usually fidgety and prefer to discuss football rather than spiritual matters. Two of the novice monks, Lodo and Orgyens, are also avid soccer fans, and they eventually find themselves punished for watching a match on television without permission. However, the tiny wave of soccermania sparked by the new arrivals begins to grow, and when the young monks ask permission to watch the upcoming World Cup Final between France and Brazil, Geko and the Khempo say yes. However, now the monks have to figure out how to pay for the satellite dish they'll need to pull in the broadcast. First-time director Khyentse Norbu was himself a Buddhist monk, lending an authenticity to the proceedings. Phorpa/The Cup was shown as part of the Directors Fortnight series at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival.

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Cast

Jamyang Loord
Jamyang Lodro
as Orgyen
Orgyen Tobgyal
as Geko
Neten Chokling
as Lodo
Lama Chonjor
as Abbot
Godu Lama
as Old Lama
Thinley Nudi
as Tibetan Layman
Raj Baboon
as Taxi Driver
Oga
as Abbot's Attendant
Pema Tshundup
as Nyima
Kunsang Nyima
as Palden
Kunsang
as Cook Monk
Dzigar Kongtrul
as Vajra Master
Dhan Pat Singh
as TV Shop Owner
Jamyang Nyima
as Sleeping Monk
Pema Wangchen
as Storytelling Monk
Namgyal Wangchuck
as Storytelling Monk
Dundrup Gyamtso
as Tea Monk
Orgyen Tsering
as Football Can Monk
Rigzin Wangchuck
as TV Watch Monk
Palden Gyatso
as Satellite Dish Monk
Gelek
as Satellite Dish Monk
Kelsang
as Magazine Monk
Tupten Loday
as Lights Out Monk
Drakpa Tenzin
as Lights Out Monk
Gaday Tsering
as Lights Out Monk
Cheying Pading
as Leather Sandal Monk
Pema Kunchap
as Tractor Monk
Tracy Mann
as Newsreader
Shanti Steiner
as Aerobics Instructor
Tibetan Woman
as Dickey Wangmo
Pema Yonten
as Tibetan TV Bouncer
Rinzin Nyedup
as TV House Spectator
Awang
as TV House Spectator
Butuk
as TV House Spectator
Tsewang Dandup
as TV House Spectator
Sangay Dorje
as TV House Spectator
Urgyen Tsecho
as TV House Spectator
Lobsang Tsultrim
as TV House Spectator
Ngawang Gyeltsen
as TV House Spectator
Dorje
as TV House Spectator
Jampa Soepa
as TV House Spectator
Dhondrup Gyalpo
as TV House Spectator
Dawa Tsering
as TV House Spectator
Gyeltshen
as TV House Spectator
Ugyen Dorji
as TV House Spectator
Achee
as TV House Spectator
Panpa
as TV House Spectator
Lopon Karma
as TV House Spectator
Tsewang Lhundup
as TV House Spectator
Karma Jurme
as TV House Spectator
Tenpa Gyaltsen
as TV House Spectator
Karma Singhe
as TV House Spectator
Kunzang Tobgay
as TV House Spectator
Kalsang Tsering
as TV House Spectator
Gampo Dorji
as TV House Spectator
Tsedrup
as TV House Spectator
Chosjor
Jampal
Tenzin Norbu
Tsewang Kalsang
Ugyen Sonam
Yeshe Dorje
Thupten Gyelek
Dukpa Tenzin
Rigzin Zangpo
Karma Tarchen
Sherab Nyima
Karma Dadul
Chosying Palden
Sherab Gyaltsen
Konchok Samdup
Jamyang Tashi
Rigzin Tseshang
Tshering Gyaltsen
Gulek Tserlng
Dukpa Sherab
Pema Ozer
Tendin Wangyal
Tashi
Phuntso
Yonten Norbu
Lodro Rabten
Ugyen Tsering
Wangkit
Tondrub Gyatso
Tadin Gonpo
Kunzang Dime
Norbu
Konchok Tashi
Sonam Dorje
Ngawang Tsering Chugwa
Yonten Gyatso
Pu Tsering
Nagshe
Pema Yeshe
Karma Tashi
Rigzin Wangchuk
Ngawang Tsering
Rigzin Sherab
Jurme Thinlus
Tsering Tondup
Tenzin Chophel
Tsengyan Lekpa
Apo Tsering
Kalsang Phuntsok
Tashi Norbu
Kalsang
Ozer Dora
Pema Kunchub
Sonam Tobgyal
Gyalhua Tsering
Pema Chechok
Sengye Dadul
Chosdak
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Critic Reviews for The Cup

All Critics (33) | Top Critics (7)

A lovely, delightful, and quiet movie that's easy to swallow and doesn't disrupt the patterns of the world.

Jun 24, 2003 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…
Combustible Celluloid

An endearing Tibetan drama about loving others and giving up one's attachments.

Aug 21, 2002 | Full Review…
Spirituality and Practice

La película vuela entre las reflexiones espirituales y las divertidas situaciones de un monje para ver los partidos de soccer en la Copa del Mundo.

May 13, 2002 | Rating: 7/10
Cinenganos

proves the monks are far more human than stereotypes have led us to believe

Jan 1, 2000 | Rating: B | Full Review…
Old School Reviews

Delightful and thought-provoking.

Jan 1, 2000 | Full Review…
Film Journal International

If all you see is a bunch of kids watching a soccer game on satellite TV, then I think you missed the film's message.

Jan 1, 2000 | Rating: B+ | Full Review…
Ozus' World Movie Reviews
View All Critic Reviews (33)

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