LIVING FILMS PRESENTS

THONG DROL

LIBERATION BY SIGHT

1 A FILM BY MARK HAMMOND THONG DROL LIBERATION BY SIGHT

Presented by the Living Buddha- HH the 17th - this film will introduce and unravel the amazing insights found in traditional .

Two Western artists devoted to this esoteric art form are destined to recreate two of the most sacred pieces of Tibetan Art destroyed during the Cultural Revolution thereby reviving an age old tradition at Karmapa's - nestled 4600m up in the Tibet's mountains.

As we explore the significance of these giant and the Karma Gadri School we witness the intricate process of creating a replica image by the artists. Here, principles of sacred geometry and symbolic meanings highlighting the purpose of this art form are revealed.

The film also gives a fascinating insight into the man who represents one of the oldest lineages in - the 17th Karmapa.

By telling the story of this auspicious fairy tale in Tibet and documenting the creation of a replica image, the intention of this film is to offer the viewer a journey culminating in the direct experience of the blessing connected to 2 17th Karmapa-

By documenting this auspicious, historical creative event, the viewer is transported into the richness of Tibetan Culture particularly through the mysticism and aesthetics found in its Sacred Art.

LIBERATION BY SIGHT Thong Drol - Liberation by Sight - will be a 90 minutes theatrical release that tells the remarkable story of the recreation of one of the largest and most sacred thangkas in the world - the Karma Gadri - made for display at the Tsurphu Monastery, Tibet. Here lies the seat of the 900-year-old Karmapa lineage of Tibet. The two main thangkas, one peaceful Buddha image and one wrathful protector image measure 23 X 35 meters (108 x 70 feet) and 10X10 metres (..... feet) respectively.

On September 27th 1992, the 17th incarnation of the Karmapa - then only seven years old - was formally enthroned at Tsurphu Monastery in a ceremony attended by 20,000 people. Amongst the crowd, two Western artists - Terris Temple (USA) and Leslie Nguyen (UK) were soon to find out that they would be destined to re-create this important lost heritage.

Through existing video material Thong Drol tells the story of how the of artists teamed up with a traditional tibetan tent factory in Lhasa and successfully completed the monumental task of constructing these images. The first one required over 2 years effort. As no photographic records of the original image were available the artists based the new design on oral instruction and guidance from HH the Karmapa and the late Abbott of Tsurphu.

Their collaboration with a predominantly female Tibetan workforce transformed the selected materials of silks and brocades into its present unique works of appliqué art. The shift from monks creating these buddhist images to communities of lay women being involved in this work is a noteworthy development in this tradition.

In all- four pieces of religious art were commissioned by the monastery. Three are completed with the creation of the fourth image – a 40-meter long companion piece for the Karma Gadri Thangka representing the eight offering goddesses - still pending.

Thangkas are essentially used as visual supports for meditation practice and are even praised for their healing powers. Thong Drol exhibits exquisite collections of Karma Gadri thangkas in New York and elsewhere. Alongside HH Karmapa, other ’s from the lineage and scholars explain history, function and the fascination of these thangkas, which are revered by religious practitioners and art connoisseurs alike.

Terris is the first Western artist who studied Tibetan thangka painting in the early 60’s- thereby establishing an important connection with the Karmapa’s previous incarnation- the 16th Karmapa. They continued to relate throughout the years. Presently, as one of his original Western disciples, Terris’s karmic connection to the 17th Karmapa continues through this project.

The film documents the creation of a smaller replica of the Thong Drol made by the artists in an applique technique based on the Tre-jar”-cut, glued and painted -style found in Eastern Tibet. The work process is shown from design, drawing, selecting silk The 4th Karmapa materials to the final construction of the piece. The importance of abiding to sacred geometry prescribed in ancient is emphasized. Without this ingredient the potential of the consecrated image to be an active vehicle towards enlightenment would be limited. The Karmapa who initiated this tradition of giant silk thangkas in his 4th incarnation, explains how this process works and will consecrate this replica upon completion.

All this in the very moment as the original Thong Drol thangka is carried up the mountainside of Tsurphu's brief annual display. Here, the blessing of the Buddha image is bestowed planting the seed of enlightenment for all those present to see it.

In a contemplative, dream-like sequence the audience is invited to experience the power of these thangkas, culminating with the unfurling of the Thong Drol.

This is the opportunity for viewers to see this living image in their lifetime and receive its precious seed of enlightenment bringing eventual "Liberation by Sight". STORY OUTLINE

PART ONE: PART FIVE: SEVENTEEN LIVES The opening sets up the ending. Our The significance and power of the bookends. Meaning that while we seventeen consecutive lives united by introduce the significance of the Thong singular mission. Drol, we do not actually reveal it. We set up the event and hear from all sides (the PART SIX: THE KARMAPA TODAY Karmapa, the makers, the monks and the The rebuilding activities initiated by the pilgrims) as to the significance of the 17th Karmapa. The emphasis here is the Thong Drol itself, as well as the back-story to the recreation of the Thong opportunity to actually experience it. What Drol itself. should be depicted here is simply the human element in terms of honor and PART SEVEN: faith by those who view the Thong Drol as The Thong Drol, step by step by the ne (?) plus ultra thankga. documenting the production of the replica until its consecration through the PART TWO: THE TRADITION OF THE Karmapa. THANGKAS This is a more academic section providing PART EIGHT: a historical overview to the centuries-old Setting up the ending, we now hear from art of the thankgkas. the Karmapa as to the esoteric spiritual message of the Thong Drol itself, as well PART THREE: THE PRACTICE OF THE as his message addressing the state-of- THANKGKAS the world today and his vision of the Continuing from Part Two, we enter future. deeper into the significance of tradition through its practice. PART NINE: THE UNVEILING PART FOUR: THE KARMAPA The unveiling. The experience. The We follow the life of the Karmapa from his meditative and contemplative moment…. birth to his enthronement. of the have foot, horseback, helicopter, played a quintessential role train and taxi - a heroic in preserving and journey that became propagating the Buddhist headlines throughout the teachings of Tibet. world. On January 5, 2000 Born to a nomadic family in the Karmapa arrived in

LIBERATION BY SIGHT the Lhatok region of Eastern Dharamsala, India, and was Tibet in 1985, and later officially met by His Holiness, identified as the the Fourteenth Dalai . reincarnation of the sixteenth Karmapa, His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa was enthroned as the 17th Karmapa on September 27, 1992, with the permission of the Chinese government, at Tsurphu Monastery in Central Tibet. The Characters While His Holiness was at Tsurphu, the monastery underwent extensive The Karmapa rebuilding to restore the temples, shrines, stupas, a The birth of the first shedra, and residences that Terris and Leslie Nguyen Temple Karmapa was prophesied by had severely decayed from the historic Buddha neglect over the years, thus Shakyamuni, and the great fulfilling one of his main tantric master of India, Guru duties as Karmapa. But at . the age of fourteen His Throughout the centuries, Holiness, unable to receive the Karmapas have been the the empowerments and central figures in the transmissions of his lineage continuation and as many of the great preservation of the teachings lineage teachers had left and practices of both the Tibet’s, Tsurphu Monastery and Kagyu with a handful of attendants lineages of Tibetan on a perilous journey by car, Buddhism. Karmapa means “the one who carries out Buddha-activity” or "the embodiment of all the activities of the Buddhas." In the Tibetan tradition great, enlightened teachers are said to be able to consciously arrange to be reborn as a teacher who can carry on the teachings of a predecessor in a prior life. As of today, the Karmapas have incarnated through this form of self-manifestation for seventeen lifetimes, and all The Characters bird lover, as well as the Terris Temple is the first supreme head of the 900 Westerner to be trained in the year old Karma Kargyudpa art of Tibetan thangka order of Tibetan Buddhism, painting more than 40 years inspired Terris to begin bird ago. His focused enthusiasm and flower painting. for this art form led him to Terris has taught traditional teach first at Tibetan art at the Naropa Institute, then at Buddhist Institute in Colorado and centers across Hawaii. As well across Hawaii since 1974. In as creating thangkas, he 2003 he began teaching for paints birds, flowers and KTC Phoenix Az. landscapes on silks with mineral and botanical First trained in art therapy, pigments. Leslie Nguyen traveled and Terris studied and practiced worked in Asia in the field of the art of Tibetan Thangka Mental health before focusing painting in Nepal from 1966 on the study of Tibetan to 1975 with various Tibetan thangka painting with Terris and contemporary works Masters beginning in 1966 Temple. based on applique techniques with the State Artist of Tibet, found in Eastern Tibet. the late Jampa Tseden. "The healing property of the During the next 10 years he image has always seemed to studied with other teachers of me as a creative, releasing, various lineages. transforming process as well While Terris was studying as a rewarding visual during this early period in space.The tradition of Thangka Art strongly reflects all of this and more and effortlessly pulled me into it” Since her involvement in Tibet and her connection with the 17th Karmapa, she continues to create thangkas, Himalayan Environmental art

Nepal he met his root guru, Rigpe Dorje, the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa. On a visit to Maui Hawaii in 1976, His Holiness the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa, a famous Intended Audience and Distribution Plan

With the help of Arrow Entertainment, a Canadian based world renowned international sales agent, “Thong Drol - Liberation By Sight” will be distributed in countries and territories world wide. In recent decades Tibetan Buddhism has exerted a significant impact on Western societies and inspired millions of people. There are monasteries of the Karma Kagyu lineage in over 51 countries now.

LIBERATION BY SIGHT Our intention is to have this film seen by as many people as possible through broadcast on television and cable and through a wide release in high-definition on Blu-ray and DVD. In addition, with the help of Internationally acclaimed photographer Patrick Brown, who will join the film team, a separately funded but complimentary coffee-table book will also be published.

Production Company

Living Films, an international film production house based in Northern Thailand, has produced over 25 documentaries over the last 15 years. Living Films first got introduced to the subject through a personal friendship with Terris and Leslie Temple, the Thangka artists, who now also live and work in Northern Thailand. Making the collaboration through all stages of the production process even easier, the director, Mark Hammond, is now based in Bangkok Thailand.

Production Plan

The production team plans to shoot predominantly in India and Tibet. Interviews with the 17th Karmapa will be conducted at his residence in Dharmasala. Meanwhile, we will cover both the the unfurling of the smaller Mahakala Tanka and the once-yearly unfurling of the giant Karma Gadri Thangka on the side of the mountain at Tsurphu in Tibet. Interviews will be conducted with monks, artists, scholars and experts.

Official Advisors

1. The 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, who is recognized by both The and the Chinese Government as the 17th reincarnation of the Karmapa. 2. David Jackson, Tibetologist 3. Prof. Heather Stoddard; Tibetologist, art specialist and researcher at the Institut National des Langues et Civilisations Orientales [CNRS], Paris, France Katia Buffetrille, Tibetologist 4. Jamspal Lozang; Lecturer in Classical Tibetan language, literature, religion and philosophy at Columbia University in New York City, where he received his PhD in 1991 and Master of Philosophy in 1989. 5. Keith Dowman is a leading world expert on Tibetan religions, a well-known translator of Tibetan texts, and writer on Tibetan Buddhism, as well as a Buddhist teacher. 6. Ian Alsop, Newar Scholar 7. Roberto Vitali, Tibetologist. 8. Venerable Drupon Dechen Rimpoche, the main abbot at Tsurphu Monastery, who was responsible for overseeing rebuilding of the temple. (Archival interview)

Case Statement

Several documentaries have been produced on the subject of Tibetan Thangkas over the past fifteen years: Most significant, the film “Mystic Vision, Sacred Art” (1996) by Raju Gurung provides introduction to the art of thangka painting in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal. It offers insight into the symbolic and religious meaning of thangkas and their importance for Tibetan Buddhist life. Also, “Creating Buddhas” (2008) by Isadora Gabrielle Leidenfrost describes spiritual significance of fabric thangka in Buddhism through the story of a Western woman who became a fabric thangka maker. Both these films offer a good introduction to the significance of thangkas within Tibetan art. However, we expect that our documentary “Thong Drol - Liberation By Sight,” as presented by the Karmapa himself, will not only become the quintessential film on

The team of seamstresses LIBERATION BY SIGHT Production crew

MARK HAMMOND a long list of documentary and His career debut was at an feature films throughout his career. advertising agency in Paris, but his Director love of travel and photography After starting out as an assistant quickly made him switch to his real Mark Hammond has worked as a director on Hollywood feature films profession. Since moving to Asia and director, producer and writer of film, such as Gus Van Sant’s My Own working exclusively as a Director of television and theater for the last Private Idaho and Oliver Stone’s Photography, Vincent has worked twenty years. With extensive Heaven and Earth, Chris moved to with Living Films on dozens of experience in putting together Thailand in 1990 and soon after productions around the region. international co-productions he has founded Living Films. produced The Silent Invasion, (1989); Vincent has been the Director of Taiwan 2000, (1986); Paper Clouds, Since then, Chris has expanded Photography on numerous high (1990); Return Cycle, (1990); Living Films into one of the top profile projects over the years, Koyasan, (1991); and In No Uncertain production houses in Thailand; including, the French feature Terms, (1996) for international producing and coordinating an documentary Insect Eater, the one broadcast television. impressive slate of feature films and hour television special Tsunami, One Short dramatic directorial credits documentaries. Year After, and the production of include Moonfire, (1994); Dead Earth from Above: Bhutan and China. Witness, (1996); Leave Taking, In his role as line producer/ (1998); and Butterfield (2001). His production manager, Chris has GEORG PETER MUELLER directorial theatre credits include No completed over ten feature films in No Godot (Manhattan Arts Center), Thailand working with such artists as Living Films Producer and Editor Wu Wei (Taipei Theatre Center, Jackie Chan on the Medallion, Matt Georg has worn many diferent hats Taipei, Taiwan) Girl's Town (Actor's Dillon on City of Ghosts, Patrick in his 25 years in the film business. Playhouse), Virgil (Theatre for the Stewart on Mysterious Island, Nicolas He has predominantly worked as a New City), Where the Body Lies, Cage on Bangkok Dangerous, and Producer and Editor, but he also has (Nuyorican), and the critically- most recently, John Cusack on extensive experience as a Director, a acclaimed tango theatre production, Shanghai. scriptwriter, a TV reporter and even Vice Verso. Chris has also directed, produced as a cameraman. Mr. Hammond also co-produced the and/or coordinated many Jamaican production One Love, a documentaries throughout Asia, Georg has been involved with the romantic drama starring Bob from commercial projects such as production of over 60 documentary Marley’s son, Ky-Mani Marley, and IMAX’s Sacred Planet to humanitarian films in his career. In the role of produced the multiple award- films such as the Canadian editor, he has been involved with winning short film, Driving Fish, and documentary Journey Home. many high-profile projects including Waves, a UK/Italian co-production the Canadian documentary Journey starring Peter Mullen and Lorenza Recently Chris completed work Home about migrant workers in Indovina. More recently he directed directing a series of six Thailand and Burma, The Forest in Johnny Was, UK/Irish/Danish co- documentaries about people living the Sea funded through the Danish production starring Vinnie Jones, with HIV and AIDS called With Hope Red Cross, and Circus, a feature Samantha Mumba and Patrick Bergin and Help. The first film in the series, length documentary about the Lao and produced L’Amour Caché, a With Hope and Help Thailand, won a National Circus. Recently Georg French-language feature staring Chris award at the Columbus wrote, directed and edited the one- Isabelle Huppert and Greta Scacchi – International Film and Video festival. hour documentary Jade: The Stone of which premiered at the 2007 Heaven which is being distributed Toronto Film Festival. VINCENT REYNAUD worldwide by Discovery Channel. Mr. Hammond is currently preparing Majik, an international-political DOP Currently, Georg runs Living Films’ post production arm, while thriller set in the world of counterfeit In his 18+ years based in Asia continuing his work as a film pharmaceuticals starring Mads Vincent has worked as a producer and editor. Mikkelsen. documentary cameraman and DP in CHRIS LOWENSTEIN almost all Asian countries. From PATRICK BROWN social to political issues, wild life and Producer breaking news, his clients include Stills Photographer Arte, TF1, France2, France5, Canal+, As the managing director of Living Discovery Channel, BBC, ARD, ZDF, Patrick is a multi award-winning Films and based in Thailand for over RTL and many other international photo-grapher based in Thailand 15 years, Chris has produced, broadcasters. since the late 90’s. World Press directed and/or production managed photo, Picture of The Year, The 3PPP

CONTACT: Georg Peter Mueller georg@livingfilms.com