Mount Kailash Return to Tibet DVD with Paul Horn (NR) +Movie Reviews

Anything Worthwhile Does Not Come Easily

Nicholas Croft | New York | 07/18/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This 2003 DVD release, "Mount Kailash, Return to Tibet", contains two complete documentaries. The title documentary follows 71 year old flutist, Paul Horn, on a pilgrimage to the 32 mile Kora trail, which circles the base of sacred Mount Kailash. Also included on this disc is 1998's PBS feature, "Journey Inside Tibet", which follows Paul Horn and his traveling companion, Lama Tenzin. For "Journey Inside Tibet", Paul Horn's goal was to play his flute inside Tibet's Potala Palace, while Lama Tenzin's goal was to visit his homeland and see his family there.Despite the title of the DVD, for the best comprehension of both works, the viewer should watch "Journey Inside Tibet" first, then follow it with another session dedicated to the viewing of the title piece."Journey Inside Tibet" begins in Kathmandu, Nepal at a Tibetan refugee camp. Here we see work being done at a local carpet making factory. Next, footage of the colorful Ka-Nying Shedrupling Monastery is shown, where the pilgrims make audio and video recordings of it's ceremonies. Documentation of a difficult 520 mile bus trip, along the friendship highway, follows. The travelers stop occasionally while on their way, to observe the life of the rural peoples.After some 30 minutes into the documentary, the travelers reach their destination, Lhasa. They start their visit at the Tashihunpo Monastery, founded by the first Dalai Lama. It is here that Lama Tenzin meets his family. Then, on to the Jokhang Temple and Potala Palace where Paul Horn plays his flute.In the years between the making of the two documentaries, Lama Tenzin dies, so with "Mount Kailash, Return to Tibet" there are again two goals. Paul Horn's spiritual pilgrimage to the mountain. Also, the dispersal of Lama Tenzin's ashes at the Kora trail's summit. Again, the difficult traveling conditions of a 1000 mile journey are documented, along with the sights and sounds of the local peoples. The focus, with "Mount Kailash", is primarily on the Tibetan natural world.Both documentaries are accompanied by engaging soundtracks. These were recorded after each trip was completed, but were based on sounds acquired while in Tibet. These sounds were then supplemented with studio overdubbing and sonic layering techniques.This DVD can be recommended, with confidence, to those with an interest in Buddhism or spiritually centered music."

PBS Hawaii review

Thomas Vendetti | Waiehu, HI United States | 06/17/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In the summer of 2001, world-renounded flutist Paul Horn, the first western musician to record inside the Potala Palace and other sacred Tibetan temples, returned to Tibet to honor the late Tibetan Buddhist monk, Lama Tenzin.Several years ago, in a documentary called Journey Inside Tibet (which is on this DVD), Horn went on a spiritual and heartwarming journey to Tibet with Lama Tenzin, who hoped to reunite with his family for the first time since he fled the country from religios persecution 40 years earlier. Lama Tenzin passed away on February 13, 2000, and Horn was determined to honor him on the sacred mountain.Mount Kailash Return To Tibet documents Horn's journey from Kathmandu, Nepal to Lhasa, Tibet, across the Tibetan plateau, to the remote and sacred Mount Kailash and Lake Manasurovar, the largest high altitude lake in the world. According to four religions - Buddhist, Hindu, Jains and Bon - the 22,028 feet high Mount Kailash is the spiritual center of the universe. It was Horn's goal to arrive at the base of Mount Kailash in June of 2001 to witness the exotic and breathtaking Saga Dawa Full Moon festival, a fascinating cultural event when Buddhists in the region gather to raise a large pole festooned with thousands of prayer flags. The goal is to raise the flagpole to a vertical position. Hundreds of locals participate raising the pole to honor Buddha and to predict the fate of the following calendar year.When Horn and his documentary film crew first arrived in Kathmandu, the Chinese government restricted all travel to the Kailash area, because there was a "free Tibet" demonstration taking place. The Chinese sent military to the region to swash the demonstration taking place. At that point, Horn and documentary film producer Tom Vendetti, decided to take their chances and continue with the journey. Luckily, shortly after arriving in Lhasa, the borders were opened and they were free to go to Mount Kailash. After the Saga Dawa Full Moon Festival, the program documents Horn's 32-mile trek around the mountain. At age 71, Horn was able to complete the trek, reaching an elevation of 18,600 feet. Along the way, Horn reveals some of his innermost thoughts about overcoming obstacles, showing up when the odds are against you and getting in touch with a simpler and quieter lifestyle.
At the summit, in a touching ceremony, Lama Tenzin's ashes were released back to his sacred mountain. Mount Kailash return to Tibet is produced by Tom Vendetti, Ph.D. of Maui. PBS Hawaii is proud to be the presenting station for this nationally-distributed special."

Awesome Tibet

C. Bivens | Tucson, AZ | 08/19/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This video is probably one of the best I have seen concerning Tibet. It covers Tibetan culture, geography, history and the beautiful music of Paul Horn. I would reccomend it to anyone who wants to see what Tibet is really like in its pristine condition. The music of Paul Horn in this video is as always a pure musical treasure."

Visually beautiful

Evelyn Uyemura | Torrance, CA USA | 08/11/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The visuals in both features (Journey Inside Tibet and Mount Kailash: Return to Tibet, both of which are included on the DVD) are lovely. In many spots, the camera simply lingers on a scene, almost like a photograph-- of a mountain with snow blowing off it or butter lamps burning, but because it is video, the snow moves, the flames flicker; otherwise, the scene simply lingers.

However, the narration is not only apolitical, it is also simply flat and uninspiring. Paul Horn doesn't seem to have much to say about what he sees and feels. And I am not sure that he honors Tibetan culture and religion by super-imposing his flute playing on nuns chanting, workers singing folk-songs, yaks climbing, and so forth. To be honest, I would prefer to hear the authentic music of Tibet.

"

Tibet Visited And Revisited

Chan Joon Yee | Singapore | 09/01/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"There are two documentaries on this DVD. The first, entitled Journey Inside Tibet, was made in 2000 when Grammy Award winning flutist Paul Horn travelled inside Tibet with his friend Lama Tenzin who fled his country 40 years before that.

Paul Horn hoped to play his flute in the Potala Palace. Lama Tenzin wished to reunite with his family. They arrived at Kathmandu and visited the Tibetan refugee "camp" (actually a carpet factory). Here, they were told about how difficult and dangerous their journey was going to be. Then, the next scene shows the duo walking happily across the Friendship Bridge. Those expecting an arduous trek or a sneaky slip will probably be disappointed.

The duo then crossed some high passes (on buses), often on muddy roads that cut through glaciers. There is a lot of beautiful mountain scenery and also a few "opportunistic" shots of incense production and Tibetan school children studying in their own language. The "sensationalists" may be disappointed to know that this is pretty much what goes on in Tibet most of the time. I think this documentary is able to put the political issues in proper perspective.

The duo arrived at Tashilhunpo Monastery where Lama Tenzin met up with his family. At Lhasa, Paul Horn first played his flute at the Jokhang Temple while the monks chanted. Then, he obtained permission to play in the Potala Palace. A monk said that his flute sounded spiritual. Indeed it does. Paul Horn's music really blends quite well with the atmosphere of the Grand Assembly Hall of the Potala Palace.

The duo finally visit Samye Monastery, the oldest temple in Tibet. Lama Tenzin prays inside while Paul Horn plays his flute.

The second part of this DVD is a documentary made 3 years later in 2003. Lama Tenzin had passed away and Paul Horn wants to release his ashes on the Kailash kora. This time, there was political turmoil in Nepal. There was a rumour that Kailash was closed. Paul Horn wrongly attributed it to some Free Tibet movement and is worried that he might not be able to enter Tibet.

Well, there was actually a Maoist (nothing to do with China) insurgency that swept over Western Nepal, taking the overland route from Nepal to Tibet out of the control of the Nepalese government. Entering Kailash from China was never a problem.

Anyway, Paul Horn decides to do the 3-day kora (circumambulation of the sacred mountain) on foot. At 71, he was remarkably strong. Footage includes weary but amazingly pious pilgrims doing their prostrations and of course, stunning views of the sacred peak. With help from a yak, Paul Horn arrives at Dolma La, the highest point on the kora (above 5000m). A ceremony is held here to honour Lama Tenzin. After the trek, Paul Horn visits Lake Manasarovar.

Maybe because of the high altitude, I find that Paul Horn's narration is not very well done. Perhaps there should have been more studio recordings for the narration."

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