Among the dozens of film festivals in this country, there is one that forms a small island of tranquillity and contemplation. The Buddhist Film Festival Europe, now in its 10th year, is a multi-day festival with, about and by Buddhists, or Buddhist-inspired. Now that everyone is all mindful, we go back to the source with festival director Babeth VanLoo.
Looking back at the history of the BFFE, she says that over the years, the films have become increasingly diverse. Remarkably, Chinese input has grown enormously. After decades of spiritual and religious poverty, people there are beginning to explore the roots of contemplation again. And this is producing wonderful works, from the mainland, but also from Taiwan and Tibet.
VanLoo stresses that there are not only Eastern films, but also many Western ones. She wants to show the diversity, the whole span of Buddhism. I can remember from last year the wonderful Monk With A Camera remember, about Nicholas Vreeland, the grandson of Vogue editor Diane Vreeland. How someone born with a silver spoon becomes a monk and renounces all worldly pleasures. Yet his older world comes seeping through in his quest.
Hippies and art
This year, for example, a short animation about the life of Alan Watts, California hippie, one of the first to bring Eastern wisdom to the West, is running. By the makers of Southpark!
There is also a short film about the artist Joseph Beuys, Beuys Frames. Asked about her own special bond with Beuys - she has also made several documentaries about him - VanLoo says she studied with him. Not only does she owe much of her artistic education to him, but also her stamina to realise her visions. He made it clear to her that all art starts inside, with an invisible sculpture. As a mental activity. You need stamina to make the inner world manifest. So art is spiritual.
Blokker Buddhas
Now that you can't walk into a garden centre without tripping over the Buddha statues, you may question the popularity and commercialism. Everyone is mindful, does yoga and has such a statue in their home. Does that bother her? No, not really. It is unfortunate that the concepts are being eroded, but if such a statue in the house is seen as a symbol of peace, that is already a win. Apparently, we all want peace now. Now that capitalism and communism have failed, the journey goes inwards. It is not for nothing that this year's theme is compassion. That links acting to empathy. Not sitting on your cushion feeling sorry for the world, but trying to make it a better place. Buddhism is more than a cosy statue in the garden.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zOYqK1ptyo
As far as I am concerned, the BFFE is one of the most surprising festivals we have. Quite apart from the 'message', you see films you never see otherwise. It doesn't even matter if you do your sun salutation daily, or zazen. Whether you are Catholic, atheist or Taoist. Try a film from Tibet. Look inside Korean nuns. See the latest Tsai Ming-Liang. Or indulge in the beauty of Ozu's Late Spring. Your cinephile eye can always widen.
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