Siddhartha (film)

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Movie
German title Siddhartha
Original title Siddhartha
Country of production United States
original language English
Publishing year 1972
length 82 minutes
Age rating FSK 6
Rod
Director Conrad Rooks
script Conrad Rooks
production Conrad Rooks
music Hemant Kumar
camera Sven Nykvist
cut Willy Kemplen
occupation

Siddhartha is an American film from 1972 based on the story of the same name by Hermann Hesse . Directed by Conrad Rooks , who also wrote the script and produced the film. Oscar winner Sven Nykvist directed the camera. The main role was played by Shashi Kapoor .

action

The Brahmin son Siddhartha grew up with his friend Govinda. Dissatisfied with the knowledge they have acquired, the two men decide to follow the path of the ascetics. Together they go into the forest and become samanas . After years of wandering, Siddhartha did not find the fulfillment he was looking for. When they meet the preaching Gautama Buddha , Govinda joins him; Siddhartha goes his own way, which leads him into the city. He wants to experience worldly life after the spiritual.

There he met the courtesan Kamala and learned the art of physical love from her. She gives him a job with the wealthy merchant Kamaswami. For a few years Siddhartha got to know the worldly pursuit of money and power. At first amused by this, he soon becomes a wealthy businessman himself. A dream shows him that that wasn't the aim of his search either. He leaves Kamala and the city.

He comes to a river that he had already crossed on his way into the city. Siddhartha begins to live with the ferryman Vasudeva and to work as an assistant. He learns from him the wisdom of the rushing river, which is at its source, at its mouth and in every other place at the same time and, like everything in life, always changes and yet always comes back. One day he meets their son on the Kamala River. Kamala followed the dying Gautama Buddha on a pilgrimage and was bitten by a poisonous snake on the riverbank. After her death, Siddhartha takes care of his son. However, he later runs away annoyed by Siddhartha to live his own life in the city. Siddhartha gives up on bringing him back.

After Vasudeva feels too old and weak to continue operating the ferry, Siddhartha takes over the post. One day his childhood friend Govinda shows up at the ferry dock. He did not find enlightenment with Buddha. Siddhartha gives him a lesson about the true nature of things: Those who are constantly on the lookout are only obsessed with their supposed goal and miss their life in the present. They drift away together on the ferry.

Remarks

Simi Garewal can be seen in this film in a subtle nude scene. Shashi Kapoor's son Kunal also plays his son in the film.

Although Siddharta was produced in 1972, the German premiere did not take place until 1997. In 2012, the film distributor Movienet brought the film to the cinemas again on the occasion of Hermann Hesse's 50th anniversary of death.

Awards

At the 33rd Venice International Film Festival in 1972, Siddharta was awarded a Silver Lion.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ A b Siddharta: press booklet. Movienet Film, accessed December 15, 2012 .