MASTER OF ZEN - TAMO MONK
Starring - Sung Young Chen - Derek Yee - Wu Ma - Fan Sui Wong - Eddy Ko.
Director - Brandy Yuen.
Prince Puti Tara heir to the Indian throne meets a strange man and is told how precarious his future will be. After listening attentively to the old man Tara learns that he will be just like him, to sit for 9 years and meditate. He asks the old man how he knows this and the old man replies that he knows because he is Tara. The prince is interrupted and informed of his father’s sudden illness. Tara rushes to his side to witness his father’s possession by a vengeful spirit. Master Prajna Tara informs the invading spirit that his evil deeds will earn him no rest and offers him a road to paradise. The prince intrigued by the master Prajna Tara treats him dinner where they discuss the teachings of Buddhism. After pondering long and hard over his future the prince turns his back on the throne and seeks out Prajna Tara in hope of becoming his student. After he is accepted as a student he his renamed as Dharma and is instructed only to go to China 67 years after Prajna Tara’s death.
67 years later and Dharma goes to China, not only to teach Zen but also to choose his student.
I don’t know how close to the legends this movie actually is but it is a compelling and thought provoking story relating to the Master Dharma’s influence on the Chinese Buddhist culture. At times Master of Zen is confusing, whether or not the director intended this is only known by him. Throughout the movie we are treated to several very well choreographed fight scenes with some great close up action. Unfortunately the emphasis is more on story than action and the fight scenes are quite short.
Ambling along at a steady pace Master of Zen is a film that I enjoyed and would recommend to anyone interested in the origins of Chinese Buddhism or Shaolin martial arts, just don’t expect too much in the way of actual martial arts and be prepared to think a little.
7*******stars. |
