The Cup

The Cup is a 1999 movie that revolves around the life of novice monks in a Tibetan monastery as they get ready for the World Cup soccer final. Directed by Khyentse Norbu, a Tibetan lama, the movie chronicles the unique blending of the traditional monastic way of life and modernity, as the young monks struggle to reconcile their love for soccer with their devotion to their spiritual practice.

The movie is set in the stunningly beautiful Phuntsok Choling Monastery in Northern India. The monastery's abbot, with the World Cup final scheduled for the same day as an important religious ceremony, bans the young monks from watching the match. However, the passionate soccer fans among them find creative ways to catch glimpses of the live event.

The main character of the movie is Orgyen, played by Orgyen Tobgyal. Orgyen is a soccer enthusiast who becomes determined to watch the final. He teams up with his friend and fellow soccer fanatic, Palden, played by Neten Chokling, to secretly set up a TV in their dormitory. This sets the stage for a series of comic and suspenseful events as they try to carry out their plan without getting caught by the abbot and the senior monks.

Through their struggles, the young monks also encounter the harsh realities of life outside the monastery walls. One of the senior monks is preoccupied with chasing after a young girl, much to the bemusement of his junior colleagues. Another monk, Rigzin, played by Jamyang Lodro, is forced to confront his guilty conscience when he absconds to the neighboring town to watch the soccer final in a bar, instead of attending the religious ceremony.

While anchored in the tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, the movie also highlights the diversity of individual experiences within the monastery. The young monks are portrayed as being inherently curious and questioning, challenging the older monks' ways of thinking and behavior, and highlighting the divisions and conflicts within monastic life.

The Cup is a captivating, lighthearted movie that offers an insightful glimpse into the world of Tibetan Buddhism. With a colorful cast of characters and playful humor that never detracts from the underlying seriousness of their situations, the movie takes a fresh and compassionate look into the lives of these young monks, their passions, and their spiritual practices. It also offers audiences a realistic view of the challenges and struggles faced by religious communities as they try to balance tradition and modernity in their lives.

Overall, The Cup is a heartwarming film that offers a unique perspective on the complex realities of monastic life. It offers an engaging portrayal of Tibetan Buddhist monastic life, combining humor with a timeless exploration of the human spirit. The movie leaves viewers with a warm feeling of companionship and an appreciation for the liberating power of the human soul to understand and accommodate differences.