Synopsis

Kundun follows Tenzin Gyatso from his recognition as the 14th Dalai Lama through his education, assumption of political authority, and Tibet's growing conflict with Communist China. As occupation and violence intensify, the young spiritual leader must choose between cooperation and resistance before escaping across the Himalayas into exile in India.

Factoids & Trivia

• The screenplay grew out of interviews between Melissa Mathison and the Dalai Lama, who gave his blessing to the project and shared memories of his life.

• Although the story is set in Tibet, production was based largely at Atlas Film Studios near Ouarzazate, Morocco. Additional scenes were filmed at a Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Woodstock, New York.

• Several members of the Dalai Lama's extended family took part in the production. Tenzin Thuthob Tsarong, who portrays the adult Dalai Lama, was his grandnephew.

• The film's detailed visual design required extensive matte work. Its production used about forty matte paintings, a substantial increase over those created for Scorsese's previous film, Casino.

• Chinese government opposition to Kundun created tension around its release. Disney opened the film in New York and Los Angeles on December 25, 1997, before expanding it to additional theaters in January 1998.

• Philip Glass composed the score, combining orchestral writing with Tibetan-inspired vocal and instrumental textures. The soundtrack received an Academy Award nomination.

• Kundun received four Academy Award nominations, including recognition for cinematography, art direction, costume design, and original score.