M.J. Rose

Will a simple disciple find the “unmistaken child”?

We don’t post about films very often here, but this one seems quite compelling as well as visually stunning and with a beautiful soundtrack. It offers a rare glimpse into age-old traditions that Westerners are not usually able to see.

Unmistaken Child
Directed by Nati Baratz. STC. 102 min. Opens Oct 2.
(Jeff Cottrill)

It’s not always easy for outsiders to document the finer details of a culture. Israeli filmmaker Nati Baratz wisely eschews commentary or judgment in Unmistaken Child, his documentary look into the closed world of Tibetan Buddhism. Aside from a few explanatory opening titles, Baratz lets his footage speak for itself from a rare, up-close point of view.

The film follows a young monk, Tenzin Zopa, on his three-year search for the reincarnation of his master, Geshe Lama Konchog, who died in 2001. Grief-stricken but serene, Tenzin travels throughout Nepal’s Tsum Valley, using vague astrological clues as his guide.  It’s Tenzin’s personal journey that makes the Unmistaken Child richly moving. He speaks candidly in English about his close relationship to Geshe, his childhood and his dialogue with nature. Baratz complements Tenzin’s story with beautiful shots of Himalayan landscapes and striking footage of Buddhist ceremonies and family life…

For the complete review click here.

The official film site is here. Watch the trailer below.