Golden Kingdom

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1:27

Golden Kingdom

2015

1h 44m

Drama

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7 Reviews

67%

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250+ Ratings

When a monastery's chief abbot departs on a long journey and leaves four orphan boys alone in the middle of a forest, strange and magical occurrences begin to take place.

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Guy Lodge

Variety

An impressively disciplined, occasionally transporting debut feature from globe-trotting American helmer Brian Perkins.

Jun 13, 2016

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Jonathan Romney

Screen International

A more spiritual coming-of-age story than most, Burmese-language drama Golden Kingdom is an involving, visually ravishing story about child monks in Myanmar

Jun 13, 2016

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Clarence Tsui

The Hollywood Reporter

Golden Kingdom's theological backbone is fleshed out by a warm and endearing portrayal of its characters' childhood innocence.

Jun 13, 2016

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Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Spirituality & Practice

An elegant spiritual drama about the spiritual journeys of four novice Buddhist monks in Myanmar.

Rated: 3.5/5

Nov 22, 2016

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Andrea Chase

Killer Movie Reviews

A profoundly lyrical film about life, death, and spirituality.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 20, 2016

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Kelly Vance

East Bay Express

Golden Kingdom, a narrative feature that seems at first to be a documentary, takes us someplace we might want to visit and convinces us it's utterly different from anywhere else.

Jun 22, 2016

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Audience Member

Not for everyone but if you have an understanding of Buddhism you'll probably really enjoy the film

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

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Audience Member

While there are many wonderful and striking images in this film, there is a tendency of the filmmaker to create super slow moments that sometimes simply drag on. This is particularly true of the ending where images of walls, with paintings on them, are lingered over for a very long time. The child actors were terrific.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/23/23

Full Review

Audience Member

First Hit: Very sweet film about four young monks left alone to fend for themselves. Filmed in Myanmar (Burma), the beautiful country side taking an impressive second seat to the beautiful spirits embodied in the novice (Ko Yin) priests; Witazara (Shine Htet Saw), Wezananda (Saw Ri), Thiridema (Than Maung), and Awadadema (Maung Sein). Their Abbot Sayadaw has to leave the remote monastery going through a treacherous mountain pass, leaving the oldest Witazara in charge. The young monks learn that Sayadaw may be killed going through the pass which makes them more nervous about their plight. However, left alone they practice their prayers, meditate and do their chores as always. There food has been provided by an old man who is a local villager each morning. Shortly after the Abbot leaves, the old man stops showing up with their food. Because they eat only once a day, they become hungry quickly and begin searching the area around them to find food. However, there is a war going on in Myanmar (Burma) villages are being vacated and they become more and more desparate. Witazara ventures out committed to find food for his fellow young monks. He fights his fears and demons and finds a willing helper. The sweetness of the monks doing their practice was amazing. The countryside of Burma, beautiful. Saw was wonderful as the one appointed to guide his fellow young monks. Ri, Maung, and Sein were amazing. The beauty in their spirits came though their eyes and actions. Brian Perkins wrote and directed this wonderfully beautiful film. Overall: A great look at the devotion and beauty of young Burmese monks.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/19/23

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Brian Perkins

Director

Shine Htet Zaw

Ko Yin Witazara

Ko Yin Saw Ri

Ko Yin Wezananda

Ko Yin Than Maung

Ko Yin Thiridema

Ko Yin Maung Sein

Ko Yin Awadadema

U Zawtica

Sayadaw

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Golden Kingdom: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

When a monastery's chief abbot departs on a long journey and leaves four orphan boys alone in the middle of a forest, strange and magical occurrences begin to take place.

Director: Brian Perkins
Producer: Matt O'Connor, Brian Perkins
Screenwriter: Brian Perkins
Production Co: Bank & Shoal
Genre: Drama
Original Language: root
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 18, 2016
Runtime: 1h 44m

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