Little Buddha is a 1993 film that combines a dramatized portrayal of the life and teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, with fictional elements. Directed by Bernardo Bertolucci, the film begins with a group of American children being chosen by Buddhist monks as potential candidates for the reincarnation of a Lama. The narrative follows both the spiritual journey of modern-day characters and the historical story of Buddha in parallel. As a cinematic representation of Buddhism for Western audiences, Little Buddha is considered one of the noteworthy examples of this genre.

Plot

The film starts with the story of young Jesse, who lives in Seattle, United States. Jesse is visited by Tibetan monks who believe he may be the reincarnation of a Lama. Accompanied by his family, Jesse embarks on a journey to Nepal, which also marks the beginning of his inner spiritual quest. Parallel to Jesse’s journey, the film chronologically narrates the life of Siddhartha Gautama. Scenes depict Buddha’s renunciation of palace life, his path to enlightenment, and his teachings, all portrayed with meticulous cinematic care. By merging the modern Western world with ancient Eastern philosophy, the film explores themes of faith, spiritual quest, and enlightenment.

^{Little Buddha (1993) Trailer - (YouTube)}

Cast

• Keanu Reeves – Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)
• Chris Isaak – Dean Conrad
• Bridget Fonda – Lisa Conrad
• Alex Wiesendanger – Jesse Conrad
• Ying Ruocheng – Lama Norbu
• Greta Scacchi – Maria
• Sogyal Rinpoche – Rinpoche

Production and Filming Process

The film was shot in Italy, Nepal, Bhutan, and the United States. Scenes depicting Siddhartha's life were filmed at ancient sites in Nepal, utilizing period-accurate costumes, locations, and atmosphere. The scenes set in the modern world were shot in Seattle. Keanu Reeves, who portrayed Buddha, adopted a specialized acting approach to reflect the character's physical transformation and spiritual journey. The film's score was composed by Ryuichi Sakamoto.

Thematic Structure

• Reincarnation:The film is structured around the belief in reincarnation, which holds significant importance in Tibetan Buddhism. By following a child’s journey to discover traces of his spiritual past, the film offers a Western perspective on traditional Tibetan beliefs.
• Enlightenment and Quest:Siddhartha Gautama’s spiritual quest runs parallel to Jesse’s search for identity. In this context, the film focuses on the individual's search for answers to existential questions.
• East-West Cultural Interaction:By portraying Western societies’ encounters and understandings of Eastern philosophies, the film highlights cultural interaction through the language of cinema.

Awards and Nominations

• 1994 César Awards – Best Production Design (Nomination)
• 1994 David di Donatello Awards – Best Costume Design (Nomination)
• 1994 ASC Awards – Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography (Vittorio Storaro – Nomination)