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Title: "The Real Koan - Why are Viewers Duped?!"
Review: An awful movie for two reasons: pretentious and empty as a film, and worse, as a supposed example (I can't even say "masterpiece" ) of "Zen", basically fraudulent. Slow tracking nature shots and third grade level spouting of Buddhist aphorisms (and literal use of the ox parable - ugh!) do not constitute "Zen." Real zen practice is not divorced from the nitty gritty reality of modern life ; thinking that this movie will somehow get you on the path to prajna paramita (the "other shore", i.e., enlightenment) is like saying that watching "Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer" or "The Grinch" will let you understand the meaning of Christianity's origin.It's obvious now why Mr. Bae has never made another film: and it's unfortunate that so many people's wish to "see" Zen philosophy /spirituality has caused them to suspend their critical discernments and project depth into this amatuerish production. Decent, if unchallenging, cinematography though (hence the two stars).
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