The film AKONG – A Remarkable Life has been released on DVD on the 7th October.
It is available from Samye Ling shop at the price of £12 + p&p. Email sales@samyelingshop.com or telephone number +44 (0) 13873 73337
Film
AKONG – A REMARKABLE LIFE at SOAS University of London
Akong – A Remarkable Life will be screened at SOAS University of London along with another film titled Digital Dharma as part of a day of discussion on Tibetan Buddhism. The director Chico Dall’Inha will take part in a roundtable discussion with other guests.
Tibetan Buddhism Turns Global: Books, Monks, and Remarkable Journeys
Date: 4 November 2017Time: 1:00 PM
Finishes: 4 November 2017Time: 5:00 PM
Venue: Paul Webley Wing (Senate House) Room: SWLT
Type of Event: Round Table
Tibetan Buddhism Turns Global explores the arrival of Buddhism in the West, the factors that shaped its adaptation, and how it begun to gain influence in public discourse on religion and beyond.
In particular, it focuses on the journeys of two extraordinary individuals who crossed multiple borders and constructed extended networks of people and knowledge, leaving behind a much-treasured legacy. Their achievements are recorded in two films:
“Akong: A Remarkable Life” is an award winning documentary about how Akong Rinpoche’s dramatic escape from Tibet changed the course of his life, and the lives of many thousands of people around the world.
“Digital Dharma: One Man’s Mission to Save a Culture” chronicles the achievements of Eugene Gene Smith in the rescue of rare Buddhist books, in the preservation of the Tibetan religious heritage, and in its diffusion to the West.
The directors of these two films, together with invited speakers, attend the screening to participate in a round-table discussion. Here, they recall their experiences in producing the film, and explore the wider themes that spring from the events portrayed therein.
To attend this event, please register in advance by sending an email to ys13@soas.ac.uk.
Organiser: SOAS Centre of Buddhist Studies
Contact email: ys13@soas.ac.uk
AKONG: A Remarkable Life
The award-winning film AKONG: A Remarkable Life has been building on its own success and has been screened at over 50 venues so far since its release in March 2017. Almost half of the venues being cinemas with the other half including Community centers, Universities, Buddhist centers, Societies and film festivals throughout the world.
With its own distinctive and unique approach to distribution, the film has been screened in four continents including Europe, Africa, Asia and North America.
The film, with its universal human struggle story and message of compassion in action, has been very well received by a wide variety of filmgoers, from Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike and It has sold out at the majority of the venues which have been shown.
The director Chico Dall’Inha and executive producer Vin Harris have been to some of the screenings giving support with a session of Q&A whenever possible.
Most recently the film AKONG; A Remarkable Life was screened at the BFFE Buddhist Film Festival Europe in Amsterdam on 30th September http://www.bffe.eu/program along with other great films. BFFE is a unique international platform for films with contemplative content, particularly documentaries, feature films and experimental works that are inspired or influenced by Buddhism.
To know more about upcoming screenings please go to the film’s Facebook page AKONG a remarkable life. There you will find a list of past and upcoming screenings in UK and around the world. If you like the page you will receive daily updates.
AKONG – A Remarkable Life
We’re very pleased to share with you the news that the long-awaited premiere of the feature-length documentary film Akong-A Remarkable Life will be taking place on 16th March at Kagyu Samye Ling Monastery & Tibetan Centre in Dumfries and Galloway.
The film will be subsequently premiered at the Kagyu Samye Dzong London on the 18th and 19th March.
AKONG – A Remarkable Life
Coinciding with Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche’s third death aniversary, it was launched yesterday the official trailer for the film AKONG – A Remarkable Life.
The film tells the story of Akong Tulku Rinpoche, a reincarnate lama (Tulku) who fled Tibet in 1959 during the Chinese occupation and was one of the main pioneers who introduced Tibetan Buddhism to the West. His escape through the Himalayas along with many other Tibetans was a real ordeal, and out of 300 people in his party, only 13 arrived in India. His life took a turn after he and his friend Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche met Freda Bedi in refugee camp in India.
Akong Rinpoche was the c0-founder of Samye Ling, the first Tibetan Buddhist Centre in europe, located in Scotland and a humanitarian who helped countless people around the world through his charity ROKPA International.
The Soul Immigrants – Promo Video
This is The Soul Immigrants, an amazing soul band that I had the opportunity to work with.
This is the promo video I have produced for them. Enjoy!
Remember
Throughout my years living in London I have passed by the Westminster Abbey during the remembrance day almost every year. And although I had the wish to stop and visit the place where hundreds of people come to pay homage to the soldiers and people who died in the II World War and other wars, I actually never did it, for one reason or another.
So one day I decided that I should not only pay a visit, but I wanted also to make a film about it, even if a short one. Armed with my camera, tripod and other tools I spend an afternoon filming the site. It was an interesting day that reminded me the sorrows of the war, the pain we humans inflict to each other based on greed and ignorance, the sadness of the families who never saw again their loved ones return back home.
This film is an homage to the brave people who fought in the II World War but also a reflexion about war and its painful reality.
A reality that still haunts us all. We have had enough wars, more than ever we need peace. Understanding between people and different cultures is a must if we are to develop a more compassionate planet based on equality and respect for each other.
Portrait of a Soulman
After a few months working on the project I am pleased to show my new short documentary film. The film shows an intimate portrait of Emrys Baird, lead singer and guitarist of The Soul Immigrants. I followed Emrys playing in three different venues on his own and with his Trio. While most of the songs on the film are cover, Emrys is also a brilliant musician and songwriter, so please check his website http://www.thesoulimmigrants.com fto listen to some of his original songs.
Rock! Sister, Rock!
Here is the promo I shot for the play ROCK! SISTER, ROCK! written by Tony Green & Emrys Baird.
AKONG – A Remarkable Life
Photo by Gerry McCulloch
The planet is going through a period of a lot disturbance, not only in terms of climate change but also in terms of conflicts and violence. On the 8th October 2013 news about Chöje Akong Tulku Rinpoche’s death shocked the Buddhist world. Akong Tulku Rinpoche was a Tibetan Buddhist meditation master and humanitarian who worked selflessly for the benefit of all beings. His projects reached thousands and thousands of people in Tibet, Nepal, India, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Akong Rinpoche, along with Trungpa Rinpoche were the first Tibetan Buddhist masters to grace the western world with Tibetan Buddhist teachings becoming pioneers in spreading the dharma in Europe and America. His lifestory and work is being transported into the big screen as the feature documentary, AKONG A Remarkable life is being produced and directed by Chico Dall’Inha. The team also counts with co-producer Jörg Wagner and cinematographer Gerry McCulloch.
Chico Dall'Igna 