Kundun is a 1997 biographical film directed by Martin Scorsese that portrays the life of the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso. The film begins with the Dalai Lama's birth in 1935 and follows his early life as he is identified as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama and brought to the Potala Palace in Lhasa to begin his training.
As the Dalai Lama grows up, the film portrays the increasing tensions between Tibet and China. In 1949, the communist Chinese government invades Tibet, and the Dalai Lama is forced to navigate the political and spiritual challenges of leading his country under occupation.
The film depicts the struggles of the Tibetan people under Chinese rule, including forced labor camps and destruction of religious and cultural institutions. It also shows the challenges the Dalai Lama faces in trying to negotiate with the Chinese government, and his ultimate decision to flee Tibet and seek refuge in India.
Throughout the film, the Dalai Lama's inner spiritual journey is also portrayed, as he grapples with the weight of his responsibilities and the Buddhist teachings of non-violence and compassion. The film ends with the Dalai Lama's resolve to continue working towards a peaceful resolution for Tibet and its people.
Kundun was praised for its stunning cinematography and the powerful performance of its lead actor, Tenzin Thuthob Tsarong, who played the Dalai Lama. Despite controversy surrounding its portrayal of China, the film was nominated for four Academy Awards and won the Cannes Film Festival's Technical Grand Prize.