The Giant Buddhas
Director Christian Frei
Countries Switzerland
Duration 95 min
Synopsis
Six months before the Twin Towers attacks in New York, 2001, two huge Buddha statues were blown up in the remote area of Bamiyantal in Afghanistan. This dramatic event surrounding the ancient stone colossi – unique proof of an advanced culture that bloomed until the 13th century along the Silk Road – is the starting point for a cinematic essay on fanaticism, terror and tolerance, ignorance and identity. "First, we destroyed the small statue. It was a woman. Then we blew up her husband." (Taliban Leader Mullah Mohammad Omar). "I reached the conclusion that the statue of Buddha was not demolished by anybody. It crumbled out of shame. Out of shame for the world’s ignorance towards Afganistan." (Mohsen Makhmalbaf, iranian filmmaker). Oscar nominated director Christian Frei’s thought-provoking film journeys along a perimeter that both divides and unites people and cultures.
Six months before the Twin Towers attacks in New York, 2001, two huge Buddha statues were blown up in the remote area of Bamiyantal in Afghanistan. This dramatic event surrounding the ancient stone colossi – unique proof of an advanced culture that bloomed until the 13th century along the Silk Road – is the starting point for a cinematic essay on fanaticism, terror and tolerance, ignorance and identity. "First, we destroyed the small statue. It was a woman. Then we blew up her husband." (Taliban Leader Mullah Mohammad Omar). "I reached the conclusion that the statue of Buddha was not demolished by anybody. It crumbled out of shame. Out of shame for the world’s ignorance towards Afganistan." (Mohsen Makhmalbaf, iranian filmmaker). Oscar nominated director Christian Frei’s thought-provoking film journeys along a perimeter that both divides and unites people and cultures.