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Deep Dive: Monk with a Camera (2014)

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Monk with a Camera
Monk with a Camera: The Life and Journey of Nicholas Vreeland is a 2014 documentary directed by Guido Santi and Tina Mascara. It focuses on Nicholas Vreeland, an American Tibetan Buddhist monk and photographer, who became the first westerner to be appointed abbot of a major Tibetan monastery. The film chronicles his transition from a privileged upbringing as the son of diplomat Frederick Vreeland to his life in Rato Monastery in India, where he grapples with his passion for photography and his spiritual commitments. The documentary features prominent figures such as the 14th Dalai Lama and Richard Gere, and includes various locations like The Tibet Center in New York City and Rato Dratsang Monastery in Karnataka, India. It employs a mix of archival photographs, animated sequences, and interviews, providing a multifaceted view of Vreeland's life and the cultural context of Tibetan Buddhism.

Why Watch

  • •Meet Nicholas Vreeland, a unique monk and photographer.
  • •See Rato Dratsang Monastery in Karnataka, India.
  • •Find out how Vreeland raised funds through photography.

Did You Know

•Nicholas Vreeland is the first westerner to be made abbot of a Tibetan monastery.
•The film features the 14th Dalai Lama and actor Richard Gere.
•Vreeland struggled with his attachment to photography while being a monk.

Perfect For

Tibetan BuddhismPhotography enthusiastsBiographical documentaries