A work in constant progress (and occasional regress).
Release Date:
August 5, 2005
Original Title:
The Giant Buddhas
Genres:
Documentary
Production Companies:
Christian Frei Filmproductions
SRF
ZDF/Arte
Production Countries:
Switzerland
Ratings / Certifications:
N/A
Runtime: 95
Christian Frei's documentary traces the tragic tale of the giant Buddhas of Afghanistan's Bamiyan Valley, which stood as monumental landmarks for 1,500 years until 2001, when the Taliban declared that all non-Islamic statues in the country be destroyed. Despite international protest, the statues were blown up. Through interwoven narratives from past and present, Frei's film sheds light on the disturbing consequences of religious fanaticism.
Additional Soundtrack:
Arvo Pärt
Director:
Christian Frei
Director of Photography:
Peter Indergand
Editor:
Denise Zabalaga
Christian Frei
Music:
Steve Kuhn
Arvo Pärt
Original Music Composer:
Philip Glass
Jan Garbarek
Sound Editor:
Florian Eidenbenz
Thanks:
Kosaku Maeda
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