UNMISTAKEN CHILD

Director: Nati Baratz
With: Tenzin Zopa
Run Time: 102 minutes
Country: Israel
Year: 2009
Language: English, Tibetan, Hindi, Nepali with English subtitles
Rating:

Nati Baratz’s outstanding new documentary, Unmistaken Child, which screened at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival®, chronicles a former disciple’s search for his reincarnated Tibetan master. Shot over the course of four years, this visually stunning and emotionally gripping film follows a

sacred quest through the eyes of a remarkable attendant. After twenty-six years of isolated meditation in a mountain cave, Lama Konchog became one of the greatest Tibetan masters of our time. When he passed away in 2001 at age eighty-four, the Dalai Lama instructed his shy, devoted disciple Tenzin Zopa to search for his master’s reincarnation.

This “unmistaken child” must be found within four years, before it becomes too difficult to remove him from his parents’ care. Tenzin entered the service of Lama Konchog at age seven, at his own request, and was with his master for twenty-one years. The loss of his teacher leaves Tenzin bereft and utterly lonely. He is further unsettled by the unexpected responsibility of carrying out the highly secretive search for his spiritual father, who is now expected to be embodied in a little boy and may be anywhere in the world.

His search crosses countries, passing through starkly beautiful mountains as well as small villages. Assisted by astrology, signs from dreams and the whispers of villagers, Tenzin travels by helicopter, mule and foot. When he comes upon an apparent contender, the documentary accompanies Tenzin and his young charge through the mysterious procedures that may confirm the reincarnation.

While Unmistaken Child brings to light a rarely seen aspect of the Buddhist faith, the true revelation is Tenzin’s journey as a man. We come to know him as modest and shy, but with a delightfully impish sense of humour. He appears to be of another time and place, yet lives profoundly in the present. Tenzin’s simple honesty and candidness make the viewer a privileged partner in his passage to the next phase of life.

“Its privileged glimpse deep into unfamiliar spiritual territory has the strength of revelation.” - Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

Reviews: www.metacritic.com/film/titles/unmistakenchild

Official Site: www.unmistakenchild.com

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