The Life of Buddha
Encyclopedia
The Buddha is a 2007
Thai
animated feature film about the life of Gautama Buddha
, based on the Tripitaka
. The film was released on December 5, 2007, in celebration of Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej
's 80th birthday.
Wallapa continued with the financing of the film on her own, and at first estimated the cost of making the film at 50 million baht, but those costs doubled. She then sold off her cars, land and personal assets to make the film.
Wallapa said a businessman offered to buy the rights to film for 200 million baht but she refused the offer.
"My ultimate goal, after the film has been screened in theatres, is to distribute free copies to schools nationwide. If I sell the project to the firm, that won't be possible," she said in an interview.
The animation is described as "typical Walt Disney
style", meaning traditional animation
.
The Buddha is the third animated feature film produced by the Thai film industry, and only the second cel-animated feature, following The Adventure of Sudsakorn
in 1979. The second animated feature, Khan Kluay
, in 2006, was Thailand's first computer-animated feature.
film critic Kong Rithdee said The Buddha was well-meaning, but lacked depth and would appeal mainly to children. "[That] means that The Buddha mirrors the national climate of institutional worship and the indifference, if not the ignorance, to how modern society has twisted Lord Buddha's teachings into something much less pure than their original meanings."
A Pali
scholar contributed a critique of the film to Prachatai
, in equal parts excoriating and lamenting the film's lack of historical accuracy or even dramatic coherence.
2007 in film
This is a list of major films released in 2007.-Top grossing films:Please note that following the tradition of the English-language film industry, these are the top grossing films that were first released in the USA in 2007...
Thai
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
animated feature film about the life of Gautama Buddha
Gautama Buddha
Siddhārtha Gautama was a spiritual teacher from the Indian subcontinent, on whose teachings Buddhism was founded. In most Buddhist traditions, he is regarded as the Supreme Buddha Siddhārtha Gautama (Sanskrit: सिद्धार्थ गौतम; Pali: Siddhattha Gotama) was a spiritual teacher from the Indian...
, based on the Tripitaka
Tripiṭaka
' is a traditional term used by various Buddhist sects to describe their various canons of scriptures. As the name suggests, a traditionally contains three "baskets" of teachings: a , a and an .-The three categories:Tripitaka is the three main categories of texts that make up the...
. The film was released on December 5, 2007, in celebration of Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej
Bhumibol Adulyadej
Bhumibol Adulyadej is the current King of Thailand. He is known as Rama IX...
's 80th birthday.
Production
Production of the film started in 2004 as a personal project by Thai businesswoman Wallapa Phimtong, who was beset by financial difficulties and delays. Initially, Wallapa sought backing and expertise through a Thai government agency, but the funding never came through, and Wallapa become embroiled in a lawsuit over the production.Wallapa continued with the financing of the film on her own, and at first estimated the cost of making the film at 50 million baht, but those costs doubled. She then sold off her cars, land and personal assets to make the film.
Wallapa said a businessman offered to buy the rights to film for 200 million baht but she refused the offer.
"My ultimate goal, after the film has been screened in theatres, is to distribute free copies to schools nationwide. If I sell the project to the firm, that won't be possible," she said in an interview.
The animation is described as "typical Walt Disney
Walt Disney
Walter Elias "Walt" Disney was an American film producer, director, screenwriter, voice actor, animator, entrepreneur, entertainer, international icon, and philanthropist, well-known for his influence in the field of entertainment during the 20th century. Along with his brother Roy O...
style", meaning traditional animation
Traditional animation
Traditional animation, is an animation technique where each frame is drawn by hand...
.
The Buddha is the third animated feature film produced by the Thai film industry, and only the second cel-animated feature, following The Adventure of Sudsakorn
The Adventure of Sudsakorn
The Adventure of Sudsakorn is a 1979 Thai animated fantasy film. The only cel-animated feature film ever made in Thailand, it was directed by Payut Ngaokrachang. It was released in Thailand on Songkran Day, April 13, 1979...
in 1979. The second animated feature, Khan Kluay
Khan Kluay
Khan Kluay is a 2006 Thai computer-animated feature film set during Ayutthaya-era Siam about an elephant who wanders away from his mother and eventually becomes the war elephant for King Naresuan...
, in 2006, was Thailand's first computer-animated feature.
Critical response
Bangkok PostBangkok Post
The Bangkok Post is a broadsheet, English-language daily newspaper published in Bangkok, Thailand. The first issue was sold on August 1, 1946. It had four pages and cost 1 baht, a considerable amount at the time....
film critic Kong Rithdee said The Buddha was well-meaning, but lacked depth and would appeal mainly to children. "[That] means that The Buddha mirrors the national climate of institutional worship and the indifference, if not the ignorance, to how modern society has twisted Lord Buddha's teachings into something much less pure than their original meanings."
A Pali
Páli
- External links :* *...
scholar contributed a critique of the film to Prachatai
Prachatai
Prachatai is a non-profit online newspaper in Thailand. Focusing on news from and commentary on NGOs, social movements, and human rights issues, the website became an alternative source for social and political news. Its current editor-in-chief is Chuwat Rerksirisuk, with Chiranuch Premchaiporn...
, in equal parts excoriating and lamenting the film's lack of historical accuracy or even dramatic coherence.
External links
- Official site
- The Buddha at SiamZone