World Cup soccer movie reveals lives of buddhist monks in Bhutan

Many young monks are passionate football fans

From CNN's Ty Marega

February 4, 2000
Web posted at: 8:42 a.m. HKT (0042 GMT)

HONG KONG (CNN) -- A Tibetan monastery in the foothills of the Himalayan mountains is not a likely setting for a movie focusing on the thrills of World Cup soccer, but Bhutanese filmmaker Khyentse Norbu has chosen exactly that backdrop for his first movie.

"The Cup," based on a true story, explores a different world by gently lifting the shrouds surrounding the lives of some buddhist monks.

"I think maybe older generations might not understand what I do," says the Bhutanese monk-turned filmmaker.

The focus of the movie is a World Cup soccer, a passion frowned upon by the monastic elders. Despite their disapproval, the young monks in the movie push ahead with their plan to watch the match in a nearby village.

"The younger monks... they are human beings," says Norbu. "They have their dislikes and likings. Many of the young monks... as it is told in the film... are football fans. This is a story based on what went on in the monastery."

Apart from difficulties making a feature-like film in the remote Bhutanese kindgom, Norbu faced another difficult challenge. Not one professional actor was used in the movie, in fact, almost all were real monks.

"The monks were actually in my film. First of all, they are very disciplined in the monastery. Secondly, because of their training they are less self-conscious. I must say my actors did a wonderful job."