An unusual documentary exploring sound. Unique elements of Japanese culture are revealed through ancient rituals and extraordinary musical spectacles. A young Buddhist priest whose family has been serving a temple for the past 500 years is also a DJ and beat-boxer. A drum teacher takes part in a costume performance of a 700-year-old ghost story. A female performer plays the Sho, a rare bamboo instrument that is believed to imitate the call of the mythical phoenix. The core ideas explaining the magical potential of sound that permeates all parts of the film are presented in the tradition of Shingon Buddhism. These beliefs are explored through following Buddhist chanting lessons for student priests at Shuchiin University in Kyoto.
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Cast
2 people
Neil Cantwell Director · Tim Grabham Director
Budget $22K · United States release November 10, 2012 · Produced in United Kingdom, Japan
Box office
Budget
$22,000
Production
Cinema Iloobia
Production
United Kingdom · Japan
Produced in
Languages
Original language
English
Spoken on screen
Japanese
Release dates
Canada · July 24, 2011
United Kingdom · September 11, 2011
Theatrical
United States · November 10, 2012
Houston Cinema Arts Festival
Estonia
August 27, 2011
Germany
May 6, 2012 · Nippon Connection Film Festival
Poland
October 7, 2011 · Warsaw Film Festival
Thailand
June 9, 2012 · International Buddhist Film Festival
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Some details come from TheTVDB.