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October 11 , 2005
The Giant Buddhas
Christian Frei’s film “War Photographer” (2001) was one of the best-received documentaries of recent years, nominated for an Oscar and prompting much discussion in the media about the role of the press in the world’s conflict zones. Beyond the power of its images, the film also drew attention for its soundtrack, shaped by ECM producer Manfred Eicher. ECM music is also employed in Frei’s new film “The Giant Buddhas”, which investigates the troubled history of the huge statues in Afghanistan which were blown up by the Taliban in 2001. This incident is the starting point for “a cinematic essay on fanaticism and faith, terror and tolerance, ignorance and identity”. “The Giant Buddhas” includes music of Arvo Pärt, Jan Garbarek and Steve Kuhn.
Premiered at the Locarno Festival in August, the film was also an official selection at the Toronto, Vancouver and the Vienna Film Festivals, and has been selected for next year’s film festivals in Bangkok and Singapore.
“The Giant Buddhas” won the International Jury Prize of the Leipzig festival, the Silver Dove award. From the jury’s citation: “The filmmaker has taken a politically sensitive and highly symbolic news event and given us a thoughtful, well researched and beautifully filmed analysis of the complexities of the issue.” Time Magazine said: “A subdued, indeed Zen-like rumination on the things that war spoils can be seen in ‘The Giant Buddhas’.
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