The second THUS HAVE I SEEN Buddhist Film Festival is back! To kickstart the countdown to 22 September this year, where we will screen specially selected Buddhist films from around the world, we will hold free screenings during the Vesak celebrations at Singapore Buddhist Federation.
Date: 28 and 29 April 2012 (Sat – Sun)
Time: 12pm – 2pm
Venue: Singapore Buddhist Federation, Level 3
Address: 59 Lorong 24A Geylang, Singapore 398583
We will be screening
28 April: 一轮明月 A Full Bright Moon and 小字条 Little Note
29 April: The Buddha (Thai animation) and 小字条 Little Note
About the films
一轮明月 A Full Bright Moon
120 min | Mandarin with Chinese subtitles
Directed by 陈家林 Chen Jialin, 路奇Lu Qi
Starring濮存昕 Pu Cun Xi, 徐若瑄 Vivian Hsu
Watch trailer here
Awards
第11届中国电影华表奖
优秀故事片
优秀男演员
11th China Cinematography Huabiao Awards
Best Story Film
Best Actor
“Awakened Ones enlighten. Enlightening to the truth, one hence can put aside one’s life and all, striving bravely to save one’s country. Hence to save one’s country, one must practice towards enlightenment.”
Thus was the patriotic spirit of the great Venerable Hong Yi, renowned master of the Virtue school of Buddhism. Born as Li Shutong in the twilight years of the Qing Dynasty, he went on to become a master poet, artist, dramatist and composer, and taught many outstanding art students who became masters of their own. Follow on a journey of Venerable Hong Yi’s life through the early years of modern China, from his life as a layman, an art student in Japan, a controversial art teacher pushing the limits of conservatism in society, to eventually becoming a Buddhist master advocating humble, upright conduct, simple, grateful living, and service to the common people and country. One of the great compositions left to future generations is the master’s collaboration with Grandmaster Taixu called “Ode to the Triple Gems”, sung today in Chinese communities all over the world in children’s Buddhist classes.
“佛者，觉也。觉了真理，乃能誓舍身命，牺牲一切，勇猛精进，救护国家。是故救国必须念佛。”
弘一法师，俗名李叔同，清光绪六年(1880年)阴历九月二十生于天津官宦富商之家，1942年圆寂于泉州。他是中国新文化运动的前驱，卓越的艺术家、教育家、思想家、革新家，是中国传统文化与佛教文化相结合的优秀代表，是中国近现代佛教史上最杰出的一位高僧，又是国际上声誉甚高的知名人士。
The Buddha (animated film)
105min l Thai with English & Chinese Sub-Titles
Directed by Krismant Wattananarong
Watch trailer here
A great happening on earth takes place in the sixth century before the Common Era – The Birth of Lord Buddha – one of the greatest blessings to mankind. Born into a royal family, the infant is given the name “Siddhartha”. The prediction reveals; either he will become the Great King or the Buddha. Twenty nine years later, the prince leaves the luxuries of the palace and his royal household in quest of cures to the suffering of life. Thus, he decides to abdicate his very throne and finally leaves for ordination.
小字条 Little Note
15 min | Mandarin with English and Chinese subtitles
Directed by Royston Tan 陈子谦
Starring Chue En Jye 朱恩洁, Desmond Tan 陈洞江, Chen Jing Jun 陈景俊
Watch trailer here
Living with little wants in the countryside, Zhiren and his mother expressed their love and support for each other in a simple way – by exchanging little notes. These words of encouragement spurred their every step forward in life, helping them cast aside fear and despair in times of uncertainty.
Interweaving poetic cinematography, intricate scenes of mother-and-son intimacy and a heartfelt original score, Little Note will meander its way into your heart like a clear, pristine stream.
志仁自小与母亲在乡下相依为命，过着朴实无华的日子。母子俩在生活中，通过一个简单的方式——小字条，彼此表达关爱，互相给予扶持。他们之间的爱，形成生命中的一股力量。纵然面临令人无奈的抉择与困境，他们坚信：人生应无所畏惧，也无需彷徨。
《小字条》结合了温馨感人的细腻情节，饶有诗意的优美画面，以及动人心弦的原创音乐。影片通过清新的风格，舒缓的节奏，散发出幽幽的情愫，牵动着你我的思绪。