# Phörpa (1999)

### reviewed by
Greg King

    THE CUP (G).
    (Dendy)
    Director: Khyentse Norbu
    Stars: Orgyen Tobgyal, Neten Chokling, Jamyang Lodro, Lama Chonjor, Godu
    Lama, Kunsang Nyima, Pema Tshundup
    Running time: 93 minutes.

There have been a number of recent films exploring the plight of Tibet and the systematic destruction of its culture since the Chinese invasion in 1959. The Cup is another film to explore this fertile territory, but it does so with a deceptive gentleness.

The action of The Cup takes place in a Tibetan monastery-in-exile in the foothills of the Himalayas, where the monks try to instil in their younger charges a sense of the traditions of their ancient culture. But the old ways are under siege from modern influences - Coca Cola, and now the World Cup.

Thanks to the infectious enthusiasm of Orygen, a 14 year old soccer fan, the whole monastery is slowly caught up in the excitement and suspense of the 1998 world cup. They plan to bring a television and satellite dish into the monastery so that everyone can watch the final. Even Palden and Nyima, two novice monks smuggled out of Chinese occupied Tibet to continue their studies, eventually become involved in their efforts. Gecko, the Abbott's respected offsider and disciplinarian, observes the monks' fervent efforts to reconcile their religious devotion with more secular activities with a mixture of bemusement and humour.

The Cup is a simple story, beautifully and efficiently told. The film explores themes of exile and the inevitability of change, and draws a delightful contrast between the monks' efforts to teach discipline and tradition to their charges and their pragmatic need to embrace some elements of modern culture. This unexpected gem of a film also contains subtle political undercurrents, critical of the continued Chinese occupation of Tibet.

The Cup is an unusual co-production between Australia and Bhutan, a small Asian country not known for its film production. The Cup is also the first feature film from Khyentse Norbu, a monk with a passion for film, who learnt his craft as a production assistant on Bertolucci's Little Buddha.

Norbu has assembled his cast from amongst the monks at the monastery where it was shot. All of the performers here are new to film, and have little understanding of English, but they are intimately familiar with the characters they are playing. The cast were given their lines only hours before filming, with little time for polishing their delivery. However, the tentative and hesitant approach of these non- professional actors is sometimes apparent. Consequently they suffuse the material with a natural, spontaneous feel, which somehow adds to the charm of this off beat but ultimately endearing film.

In keeping with the international nature of the production, Norbu has employed the talents of a largely Australian crew, with Paul Warren's cinematography particularly striking.

    ***1/2
    greg king
    http://www.netau.com.au/gregking

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