DAY 1
SAT 5 SEP

In the 1940s, as the fate of the Chinese people and the dignity of Chinese Buddhism fell into the nadir, a 14-year-old boy was ordained to be a Buddhist monk in Jiangsu Province, China. Since then he has embarked on a journey to pursue and spread the Dharma for nearly 70 years.

1940年代,在中国民族命运、人的尊严以及佛教尊严都跌落谷底的时刻,一个十四岁的男孩在江苏南通出家,从此,他展开了将近七十年不曾休止的求法与传法过程,同时,也是追寻生命与信仰尊严归向的过程。

PRECIOUS GURU is a feature length documentary movie that gives vivid insight into the life, times and legacy of Padmasambhava – the 8th century Indian yogi who carried Buddhism over the Himalayas into Tibet.  Beneath the tales of his fabulous exploits lies a radically relevant truth – the darker the times, the greater the potential for transformation.

DAY 2
SUN 6 SEP

Dr. Yu-Zheng Wu has long advocated for an end to futile medical care in Taiwan, hoping to stop the suffering of patients – until he meets Jin-Yu Liu at the respiratory care center. Dr. Wu hopes to hear from Jin-Yu on the immense pain he experiences as a patient of futile medical care, but when they grow closer, the doctor suddenly finds himself wanting to help restore Jin-Yu’s will to live.

吴育政医师长期以来一直主张推广「安心走完人生的最后一哩路」,结束无效医疗与患者的痛苦,直到他在呼吸保健中心结识24岁的刘进育。正值青春的进育,因车祸导致脖子以下全部瘫痪,已经躺在病床上快7年了。意识清楚且能说话的他,被困在一个无知无觉的身躯中。投缘的两人变成了经常聊天的朋友,看着进育年纪轻轻却没有活下去的动力,吴医师开始对于生命有了更深一层的体悟……

A two-year-old girl from Bangkok — nicknamed “Einz” — became the youngest person in the world to undergo cryo-preservation. After her death from brain cancer, her family stores her remains in an American lab. Her head and brain now rest inside a tank in Arizona.

DAY 3
MON 7 SEP

During the Japanese Occupation of Singapore, a Buddhist monk Pu Liang and his disciples provided shelter to many refugees. Their efforts go unappreciated when the refugees express their mistrust against Pu Liang after one of them discovers the monks performing a rite for a dead Japanese soldier. As the Japanese troops barge into the monastery, Pu Liang has to decide if he should put others before himself. 

日本占领新加坡时期,普亮法师及其弟子为许多难民提供了庇护所。当其中一名难民发现僧侣们为死去的日本士兵办超度仪式时,他们对普亮法师产生怀疑。当日军闯入寺院时,法师必须做出艰难的抉择。

The film follows a single mum, Liping, who is affected by her son’s decision to ordain as a monk. When reality kicks in the day before her son’s ordination, Liping’s fear of loneliness becomes prominent as her son prepares to embark on a new journey as a monastic. She begins to cast doubts on her faith and struggles to choose between letting go or holding on to the attachment to her son in his path of seeking enlightenment.

这部短片跟随着丽萍,一位面对儿子即将出家当和尚的单亲母亲。眼看儿子即将离她而去,丽萍对自己将孤独地度过未来的日子感到害怕,也因如此开始质疑自己的信仰。在儿子踏上修行与悟道之路之时,丽萍将如何放下对他的依恋?

DAY 4
TUE 8 SEP

Shortly after Enlightenment, the Buddha said: “I shall not come to my final passing away, until my Bhikkhus and Bhikkhunis, laymen and laywomen, have come to be true disciples… ” Even though the Buddha established the Bhikkhunī order, the line of female ordination in the Theravāda tradition died out in the 11th century. Since then, it is a common belief that nuns can no longer be ordained.

DAY 5
WED 9 SEP

Phra Pongsak Techadhammo was a Thai forest monk who risked his life to save the forests of Chiang Mai. He was the first monk to bring together the government, the monastics, and the local people for forest conservation and rural development. The flowing rivers and lush forests of the Mae Soi Valley in Chiang Mai are his legacy — for which he was recognised by the United Nations Environmental Programme. This documentary tells his incredible story.

Post Screening Dialogues

For the first time in our festival history, Thus Have I Seen Buddhist Film Festival (THISBFF) 2020 is pleased to announce that THISBFF Dialogue with Filmmakers of our Official Selection will be in full attendance! Join each Filmmaker after the premiere of their films on Zoom to understand more about their filmmaking process, challenges and insights.

Each post screening dialogue will be conducted in English. Chinese translation will be provided for Mandarin speaking speakers.

Join us on Zoom at the following timeslots!

SAT 5 SEP | 3:00PM

MASTER SHENG YEN
本来面目

With Director Chang Chao-wei

Chang Chao-wei, from Tainan, Taiwan, used to work as an editor of Pots Weekly, editor-in-chief of South Newsletter, contributing playwright/director of PTS TW, producer of The Moving Visuals Singapore, and head of documentary center, Sun TV HK. In 2006 Chao-wei co-founded CNEX and has since been the group’s Chief Producer. Chao-wei is also currently the Chief Content Adviser of Visible Influence Pictures Beijing.

SAT 5 SEP | 8:15PM

PRECIOUS GURU
With Director Marc Wennberg

Marc Wennberg is a first-time filmmaker and full-time restorative justice consultant. PRECIOUS GURU took eight years to complete from conception to completion and was a journey of learning and then more learning. Marc lives happily in Burlington, Vermont, with his wife and cat.

SUN 6 SEP | 2:15PM

A DECISION
一念

With Director Maso Chen & Producer Ging Lee

Maso Chen is a filmmaker specialising in documentary making and cinematography. In 2008, he founded The Classic Vision Co., Ltd. with director Wu Tai-jen and released its debut film titled Let’s Fall In Love. He also won Best International Potential Prize at the CNEX Documentary Festival for the film The Silent Teacher, Chen’s feature documentary debut in 2017.

SUN 6 SEP | 8:30PM

HOPE FROZEN
With Director Pailin Wedel

Pailin Wedel is a Thai-American journalist and filmmaker who grew up in Asia. She founded 2050 Productions in 2017. She works on documentaries that focus themes of faith, trauma and the clash between the East and the West.

MON 7 SEP | 8:30PM

LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS
明月照灰霾

With Director Liew Shi Xiong

Liew Shi Xiong graduated from the Wee Kim Wee School, Nanyang Technological University in 2010 with a degree in Communication Studies. He was an amateur/hobbyist filmmaker and a nobody. 

BODHI
菩提

With Director Png Zhen Yu

Png Zhen Yu is a director whose works often revolve around human perception and values. He is a graduate from Nanyang Technological University, with a Bachelor in Fine Arts (Filmmaking). His experience includes working on corporate videos, short films and commercials.

TUE 8 SEP | 8:45PM

BHIKKHUNI
With Director Malgorzata Dobrowolska

Małgorzata Dobrowolska was born in Warsaw, Poland, and is an activist and documentary filmmaker who focuses on stories about women. She travels the world to document situations of women in main religions and other spiritual movements. She deeply believes that the key to reach world peace is to restore balance between the energy of men and women and bring about a change on a spiritual level.

WED 9 SEP | 8:40PM

FOREST DHARMA
With Producer Zen Master Dae Kwan and Director George Chang

Zen Master Dae Kwan is the Abbot and guiding teacher of Su Bong Zen Monastery in Hong Kong. She studied sutras at the Kwok Kwong Buddhist College and ordained at Ajahn Chah’s International Forest Monastery in Thailand. With full blessing from her Thai teacher, Phra Pongsak Techadhammo, she returned to Hong Kong in 1992 to help establish Su Bong Zen Monastery, where she has been teaching Zen ever since.

George Chang worked in TVB Public Affairs as producer and cameraman in the late 70’s, and Cinematographer for local feature films and commercial films in the 80’s and 90’s. He was Assistant Professor in film and video productions of Hong Kong Baptist University, and directed Artists’ and Designers’ Series for the Hong Kong Museum of Fine Arts and the Heritage Museum. 

TICKETING

Single Tickets are suitable for those who wish to catch specific screenings of interest. But to fully appreciate the specially curated programme of THIS Buddhist Film Festival 2020: Online Edition (THISBFF)*, simply purchase our Festival Pass to watch all 8 films!

If you wish to donate to our cause and contribute to the next THISBFF, get the Festival Bundle as you will receive a limited edition THISBFF Silver Medallion plus a complimentary Festival Pass to watch all our films this year!

Hurry now to get your Festival Pass, and enjoy 20% Early Bird Discount from 30 July to 4 August 2020)!

(Price excludes SISTIC Booking Fee)

VENUE

LIVE SISTIC STREAM

Hotline: (65) 6348 5555

*This event is geo-restricted and only accessible to Patrons geographically located in Singapore and Malaysia only.

**After the Premiere, all films continue to be available for online viewing until 13 September 2020, 11:59pm.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

FESTIVAL BUNDLE

Help us keep Thus Have I Seen Buddhist Film Festival (THISBFF) going! Support us by purchasing our Festival Bundle! Priced at S$108, each Festival Bundle consist of one limited edition THISBFF Silver Medallion and one complimentary Festival Pass for you to watch all the  films! 

今年我们推出电影节配套! 每份配套只需S$108, 包括一枚限量版THIS佛教电影节银币和和一张电影通行证,让您也能观赏今年精彩的影片!所得收入将全数作为THIS佛教电影节主办经费。

Purchase our Festival Bundle now!

现在就行动吧!

ABOUT US

Dharma In Action Limited (DIA) is a Company Limited by Guarantee officially incorporated in Singapore since 2009. Our mission is to present cultural and educational programmes rooted in Buddhist values and philosophies to the local community. We aspire to provide a dynamic platform for exchanges of ideas and cultivation of friendship to promote a society of compassion and wisdom.

DIA activities are organised mainly by volunteers from all walks of life and various age groups. Thus Have I Seen Buddhist Film Festival is our signature biennial event. We are always looking to develop new events and look forward to suggestions from our supporters.

For more information on Dharma In Action Limited please visit www.dharmainaction.net

 

THIS BUDDHIST FILM FESTIVAL 2020: ONLINE EDITION ORGANISING COMMITTEE

Chairman
TEO PUAY KIM

Vice Chairman
CELL LIM

Advisor
TEO SWEE LENG

Marketing & PR Consultant
POH YONG HUI
GAY SI HUI
ELAINE SNG

FIlm Programming Team
CHAN BOON KIAN
ELIS CH’NG
CHUA PAIR SHEN
GAY SI HUI
LOW CHENG HYORK

Fundraising
CHUA PAIR SHEN
TEO PUAY KIM
LIM SIN MIAN

DIRECTOR’S
MESSAGE

Welcome to the sixth edition of Thus Have I Seen Buddhist Film Festival (THISBFF).  Over the past decade, THISBFF has grown to be a highly anticipated event on the calendar of the local community.  As always, we are happy to be back with a slate of excellent Buddhist-themed films. 

This year, like everyone, we are faced with an unprecedented challenge of adjusting to the “new normal” set by the COVID-19 pandemic.  During this difficult period, we are very much fortunate to be able to rely on the wisdom and compassion taught within the Buddhist Teachings to guide us.

Going online is a great solution that allows our specially curated films to be accessible to everyone from the safety and comfort of their homes.  It is also a new opportunity to partake in a collective film viewing experience together with our loved ones and friends. One exciting outcome is that we are now able to cross the geographical barrier to share the films with our friends in Malaysia for the first time.

THISBFF 2020 Online Edition will be presenting eight films curated along the themes of Buddhist Masters, Facing Death, and Activism in Buddhism.  We are also proud to have the opportunity to present Singapore Shorts, consisting of two short films produced by Singaporean filmmakers.  It is our wish to showcase more local productions in future.

We want to express our thanks to our sponsor, the filmmakers and our local partners.  Their strong support has allowed THISBFF 2020 Online Edition to be put up quickly despite the constraints set by the pandemic.  

In addition, we are deeply grateful to our Community Partners and supporters for the continued support through ticket purchases and social media sharing.  A big thank you to our donors and well-wishers for believing in us and supporting us during this challenging period. 

Finally, we have always believed in the cinematic experience, and we look forward to a time soon after the pandemic, so that we can all return to the theatres.  Please continue to give us your feedback and suggestions as we work towards THISBFF 2021. 

Thank you and stay safe.

Teo Puay Kim
Director
Dharma In Action Limited

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

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