The Japanese population’s reaction to the catastrophe of March 2011 has been described as “stoic” by the Western media. The Japanese code of conduct is indeed deeply rooted in their Buddhist traditions, and young filmmakers Tim Graf and Jakob Montrasio observe in detail what this means for the people and their religion. At graveyards, in temples, at monasteries and with families, they question the impact this triple affliction has had on the lives and beliefs of the inhabitants. How deeply do their beliefs affect their grieving? What role do the monks play in assisting people with their grief? And, what effects has this enormous catastrophe had on their religious rituals? SOULS OF ZEN inserts the events of March 2011 into the context of traditional Zen Buddhism, examining Japan’s religiousness and the beliefs of those practising it at a crucial turning point.
Chernobyl 1986. A nuclear reactor exploded, spewing out massive quantities of radiation into the atm...
A Zen priest in San Francisco and cookbook author use Zen Buddhism and cooking to relate to everyday...
Kintaro Walks Japan is a documentary film produced and directed by Tyler MacNiven. It is an account ...
Feature length documentary examining the troubled life and tragic death of college football standout...
This exploration of Japan's fascination with girl bands and their music follows an aspiring pop sing...
Marcel Theroux travels across Japan in an attempt to understand Wabi Sabi, a theory of Japanese aest...
A selection of Dermot Morgan's family, friends, colleagues and admirers, including Pat Shortt, Olive...
In this Traveltalk short, the symbolic role of cherry blossoms in Japanese culture is explored as we...
Six months after the explosions at the Fukushima nuclear plant and the release of radiation there, P...
Trailblazing artists, activists, and everyday people from across the spectrum of gender and sexualit...
Toypunks is a documentary film series covering the converging world of Japanese toys, fashion and pu...
The incredible true story of a man who lived for 15 months trapped inside a small room, naked, starv...
Tokyo Night Cruise on the Yurikamome Line The "Yurikamome" line, connecting Shimbashi and Toyosu, i...
The Katakai Festival, one of Niigata and Echigo's Three Great Fireworks Festivals, has a 400-year hi...
A journey back through Dacia Maraini's and her trips around the world with her close friends cinema ...
"1985: Heroes among Ruins" is a reflection of disaster. It is about the human solidarity, the search...