Film review

Sri Siddhartha Gautama – the experiential factor

Indrani Iriyagolle

The objective of this review is not to add compliments, though most deserving and necessary, nor to edify Buddhist concepts or focus on value added Buddhist propaganda for Buddhists and non Buddhists.

The writer wishes to dwell on the visual impact of the film on the average viewer. It stirs one to introspection and undergoes a sublime experience of rekindling new thinking about one's life and healthy philosophical precepts. And inspiring to human beings, in my view.

Prince Siddhartha with baby Rahula

The film director creates an eagerness to understand the limit less desires of the average layman by creating a broader interest, an experiential approach, and self analysis about the vagaries of human behaviour. The story is about Prince Siddhartha the royal prince, who shuns the luxury of palace living, rejects succession to monarchy of a vast kingdom and moves out to search for the truth about existence in relation to the universe.

True nature

He sacrifices family, monarchy and all other related luxuries in exchange for ascetic living, bent to discover wisdom and the nature of Truth through experiential verification. In general, the Buddhist public is aware of the story, yet it is the visual effects in the film that creates the experiential factor to evoke interest in philosophy, and introspection.

Six years of labour to create a great epic, brought alive by the visual medium composed of sensitive acting, excellent direction and dialog, undoubtedly makes it an epic film for the East and West. A most commendable creation produced by Navin Gooneratne, Chairman of the Light of Asia Foundation with able direction from Saman Weeraman. This review emphasizes the "experiential" aspect as the story develops bringing alive the viewer to both imbibe and reflect on the several basic precepts of Buddhism. It is a priceless creation for posterity with a special focus on the philosophical and historical, aspects enriched by a central space for Buddhism, ahimsa, equanimity and compassion.

What is the experiential factor? It relates to observation, experience, memory-related inner change. As all religions and philosophies emphasise the experiential factor emerges The writer's interaction with viewers of the film ‘Sri Siddhartha Gauthama’ from diverse educational and professional backgrounds such as those in the commercialized city of Colombo its suburbs and several provinces the low income sector et al indicate the beneficial effect of the film on the average public. The theme as well as the high quality of sensitive acting, where all actors live their roles under superb direction, has won the hearts of the public.

Viewer response

In my search we note the following responses among the viewers:(a) An over worked stress-ridden public(b) Those undergoing stress and violence within modern family living (c) Effects of the impact of a 30 year war under a shadow of violence(d) The adverse effects of globalization, commercialization, and a capitalist approach to life,(e) A youth community that imbibe false/uncivil practices rejecting humanitarian value. (f) Those who reject Nirvana and Enlightenment, yet accept humanitarian values and humanism. The writer's interaction with spectators (it is recorded that the film has run in 45 cinema outlets for over lakhs of spectators since its opening on January 24) was confined to two basic sample questions. ''Do you like the film?'' "Why did you like the film?" Quite a majority expressed an eagerness to see more of this kind of film.

Channa brings prince Siddhartha's sword to the palace

A variety of answers and viewpoints were expressed."It is beneficial for our children and all of us to be reminded in story form such of the beautiful aspects of Buddhist Literature." The educated and professionals say such films bring us closer to our heritage and Buddhist culture. Also this kind of film is suitable for all time - for Buddhists and non-Buddhists. It teaches compassion, altruism and inner contentment.

Saintly people

An elderly senior public servant says: "We are not saints but we can follow the path of great saintly leaders. This we need today, much more than in the past."

A senior lawyer expressed: "Such films softens the heart and hammers the brain to hard introspection. Such films need to be shown frequently around the country, especially for Vesak, Poson and other Poya Days"Several Army Officers and war-weary soldiers specifically requested that this film be shown to the Sri Lanka Forces, and several others wished that prison inmates be also given such an opportunity.

A parental opinion also came out firmly: "Social violence, verbal abuse is increasing in society. Individuals with wealth and power are violent and selfish. We need films with a moral base."Walking out of the cinema hall a group of young women clustered together evoked an unusual impression of something happening. To my question on her views about the film, she shrugged her shoulders, “No please no, not now," she covered her ears with both hands, "I want to simply sit here and re-think about the story and the film again and again."Unmistakably the role of Yasodara has created a great impact on the female audience.

The strains of the age old ‘Yashodarawatha’ (Story of Yashodara) by folk verse popularized brings out the inner torment of parting from a devoted wife. The experiential aspect once again adds to and brings out the inner torment of parting from a devoted wife. Once again the experiential aspect adds to life's illusionary nature.The solemn expression of both Siddhartha and wife Yashodara with the picture of the newborn son focuses on the universal traumatic experience of parting from loved ones.

The song echoes leaving the folk verse - creating an emotional surge, indeed better than words. This episode sends the powerful message to the hearts of the audience - that Siddhartha is human, with emotions and determined on his goal. Indian actor Gagan Malik enacts a super human role as the parting husband.

The experiential factor hits heard on the audience as a close a real encounter in life. As commonly expressed Buddhism helps the individual understand and experience the vicissitudes of life.

The Buddha conveyed the message that he gained knowledge by experiential means and not by super human powers. In this context the audience is made to understand by cinematic experience to comprehend an inner spiritual change.

The film especially in current times where the world is in chaos, reeking with violence, all created by man, this film makes a far reaching impact on the individual. Once again we congratulate the producer, the director, the Indian and Sri Lankan actors and actresses for their magnificent contribution to make this film success.