The Cup parents guide

The Cup Parent Guide

Overall B+

Foreign movies often have an immediate advantage because the novelty alone makes them appealing to watch.

Release date October 28, 1999

Violence B+
Sexual Content A
Profanity B+
Substance Use A

Why is The Cup rated G? The MPAA rated The Cup G

Run Time: 93 minutes

Parent Movie Review

Foreign movies often have an immediate advantage because the novelty alone makes them appealing to watch. Showing a scene of American children playing soccer in fresh pressed uniforms with a shiny new ball is ho-hum. But take some real Tibetan monks in the Himalayan foothills scrambling to shoot a crushed Coca-Cola can, and you’ll have North American audiences interested.

The Cup - Official site Thus The Cup kept myself and my 12-year-old son glued as we viewed the story of Orgyen, a 13-year-old monk who is quite obsessed with football (known as soccer to North Americans), especially at World Cup time. During daily rituals, Orgyen is more likely passing around the latest scores on bits of paper than following the Abbot (played by Lama Chonjor, the real leader of the Chockling Monastery where this movie was filmed) in worship exercises.

The Cup - Official site When temptation gets the better of Orgyen, he manages to convince three other monks to sneak out at midnight to watch the semi-finals on a local shop’s black and white set. Upon their return they are caught by Geko (Orgyen Tobgyal), the monastery’s disciplinarian, who punishes them with additional cooking duties. But the final game is still to be played, so Orgyen, desperately hoping for a miracle, approaches Geko and the Abbot with an unusual request: Can they can rent a satellite dish and television for just one night?

The Cup - Official site The Cup represents the first feature-length movie for the country of Bhutan as well as Khyentse Norbu (who, according to the film’s website is a “pre-eminent lama of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition,” as well as a part time director). Passionately interested in using film as a way to “touch people,” Norbu sought spiritual guidance in every aspect of the production. Faith and prayers were used for everything from clearing the unpredictable Himalayan weather, stabilizing the power from inevitable blackouts, to choosing the film stock used in the camera.

Using actual monks living at Chockling Monastery, these untrained actors are often “one take wonders”, which accounts for much of the film’s sincere humor and irresistible charm. For families willing to read the English subtitles and overlook the mild irreverence and three minor profanities, The Cup is a touching and interesting perspective on a culture not oft seen on the screen.

Starring Orgyen Tobgyal. Running time: 93 minutes. Theatrical release October 28, 1999. Updated

The Cup Parents' Guide

Does The Cup alter your impression of Buddhist monks? What evidence of media influences are there in this remote Himalayan monastery? Would their lives change significantly if television and media were regularly available to them? How would your life change if television and media were removed?

For more information on Tibet and their continuing conflict with China, you can visit the official website of The Government of Tibet in Exile at www.tibet.com . Or check Yahoo’s Tibet directory by clicking here

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For other movies about Tibet, check our reviews of Seven Years in Tibet and Kundun .

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