You never know what you’re going to get when you tune into Storyville on BBC Four – that’s half its charm. This week it is the turn of Israeli director Nati Baratz to showcase his documentary The Baby and The Buddha, (also known as Unmistaken Child). Proving that good things most certainly do come to those who wait, the film is the culmination of four years of hard work. Seeing the final product, there is no doubt about it, it was worth every minute of research and filming.
After the death of his Tibetan master, devoted disciple Tenzin Zopa is tasked with the job of finding his reincarnation. Given that it could be anywhere in the world, he’s got a tough job ahead of him. His secret mission takes him by helicopter, mule and foot and with the help of villagers, astrology and various dreams, Tenzin eventually comes across a young boy who he believes is the reincarnated Geshe Lama Konchog…
While the film brings to light a rarely seen aspect of the Buddhist faith, the true revelation is Tenzin’s journey as a man. We come to know him as modest and shy, but with an impish sense of humour. He appears to be of another time and place, yet lives profoundly in the present. Alone on his quest, he is only able to share his thoughts and feelings with filmmaker Baratz. Tenzin’s simple honesty and unselfconsciousness make the viewer a privileged partner in his passage.
See the trailer below and click here for more information.