• Landscape of mountain with temple and buddhist flags in foreground - Precious Guru - THIS Buddhist Film Festival
  • A man sitting high up throwing a string of buddhist flags - Precious Guru - THIS Buddhist Film Festival
  • Paro Taktsang The Tigers Nest Monastery on cliffside - Precious Guru - THIS Buddhist Film Festival

PRECIOUS GURU

Sat 25 Sep | 2pm

Online Films:
From 25 Sep 2pm to 8 Oct 11.59pm

Single Cinema Ticket: $13
Online Pass: Watch 8 films online for $26
Prices exclude SISTIC booking fees

USA | 2018 | 70 min | PG

Multiple languages with English subtitles

Directed by Marc Wennberg

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.

The story unfolds against a backdrop of majestic mountain ranges and vast landscapes, and told through the voices of people from three continents. The voices that tell his story include Tibetan monastics and lay people encountered by the production team on their Himalayan travels, as well as accomplished lamas like Mingyur Rinpoche, western Buddhist teachers like Lama Tsultrim Allione, Lama Glenn Mullin and Professor Robert Thurman.

PRECIOUS GURU is a tribute to the resonance of Padmasambhava’s realisation, which is still a vibrant reality for many thousands of people today.

Sat 25 Sep | 2pm

Available online:
From 25 Sep 2pm to 8 Oct 11.59pm

Single Cinema Ticket: $13
Online Pass: Watch 8 films online for $26
Prices exclude SISTIC booking fees

Post-Screening Dialogue

Precious Guru director Marc Wennberg - THIS Buddhist Film Festival

with director Marc Wennberg

BOOK PAIRING

Guru Rinpoche: His Life & Times
Author: Ngawang Zampo
$49

DIRECTOR’S BIO

Precious Guru director Marc Wennberg - THIS Buddhist Film Festival

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.

DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT

I am fascinated by Guru Rinpoche. He kept surfacing in my life and I wanted to know more about him. What began as a personal exploration ended up as a film.

In 2013, I travelled with seven people more than 15,000 miles through the Himalayan regions of India, Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan and also Mongolia. There were many challenges along the way, but we persevered and were blessed to have Ronen Schechner with us. He’s an exceptionally talented cinematographer.

We’ve received donations from more than 500 individuals across 40 countries and we’ve heard from many supporters who believe that Guru Rinpoche’s story and message is the right medicine for these dark times.

PRINT SOURCE

Marc Wennberg
Triptych Journey
marc@triptychjourney.org

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