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Unmistaken Child

Play trailer Poster for Unmistaken Child Released Jun 3, 2009 1h 44m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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81% Tomatometer 36 Reviews 88% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
Young monk Tenzin Zopa has spent most of his life studying at the feet of the esteemed Geshe Lama Konchog. When the older man dies after a long, influential life, Tenzin is assigned to find his teacher's reincarnated soul. Tenzin journeys throughout Nepal, from one small village to another, in search of the child in whom Konchog's spirit has come to reside. This documentary charts Tenzin's arduous, emotional quest, a task that will be judged a success or failure by the Dalai Lama himself.

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Unmistaken Child

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Critics Consensus

Nati Baratz's thoughtful, beautifully filmed documentary is a moving testament to the power of faith.

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Critics Reviews

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Ben Kenigsberg Time Out Rated: 3/5 Nov 17, 2011 Full Review Rick Groen Globe and Mail This documentary is only partly a story of the chosen one; mainly, and more intriguingly, it's a chronicle of the choosing one, of the nervous young monk charged with the job of leading the search party. Rated: 3/4 Oct 2, 2009 Full Review Andrea Gronvall Chicago Reader Films that address faith and love as eloquently as this moving 2008 documentary are rare. Oct 2, 2009 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Visually stunning and moving religious documentary that gives the outsider a rare eyewitness report on the four-year search for the rebirth of a Tibetan lama in Nepal. Rated: A- Feb 13, 2010 Full Review Sean Axmaker Seanax.com Along the way, we are treated to a tour of spiritual belief, Buddhist ceremony and rural life in this remote region. Dec 6, 2009 Full Review Chris Hewitt St. Paul Pioneer Press How far can an incredibly cute kid and an incredibly beautiful setting go toward making a movie worthwhile? Not far enough, as indicated by Unmistaken Child. Oct 22, 2009 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Leanne T If reincarnation or Tibetan Buddhism interests you, the Unmistaken Child is a must see. This beautifully photographed documentary follows the search for the reincarnation of a Buddhist master under the watchful eye of the Dalai Lama. Filmed amid the breathtaking mountains that link Nepal and Tibet, the Unmistaken Child reveals a little-known aspect of an ancient and powerful spiritual tradition that is poorly understood in the West. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/16/23 Full Review Audience Member Great documentary about the search for a reincarnated Tibetan Lama. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Audience Member This is definitely an interesting movie and an intriguing look into Buddhism and the way new Lamas are chosen. It can also become very sweet and emotional. However, from a film perspective, some of the scenes are really long and things generally move really slowly. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/25/23 Full Review Audience Member The Buddhist concept of reincarnation, while both mysterious and enchanting, is hard for most westerners to grasp. UNMISTAKEN CHILD follows the 4-year search for the reincarnation of Lama Konchog, a world-renowned Tibetan master who passed away in 2001 at age 84. I generally love documentaries, but I did have a hard time getting through this one. I couldn't help but wonder if Buddist hang on to the Idea that we never really leave this earth as a mechanism to cope and grieve. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/04/23 Full Review Audience Member Its a wonderful documentary, let us understand more about the culture and religion. touching and never fails to make me tear. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/15/23 Full Review Audience Member Esupendo y emotivo documetal. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/19/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Unmistaken Child

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Movie Info

Synopsis Young monk Tenzin Zopa has spent most of his life studying at the feet of the esteemed Geshe Lama Konchog. When the older man dies after a long, influential life, Tenzin is assigned to find his teacher's reincarnated soul. Tenzin journeys throughout Nepal, from one small village to another, in search of the child in whom Konchog's spirit has come to reside. This documentary charts Tenzin's arduous, emotional quest, a task that will be judged a success or failure by the Dalai Lama himself.
Director
Nati Baratz
Producer
Ilil Alexander, Nati Baratz, Arik Bernstein
Screenwriter
Nati Baratz
Distributor
Oscilloscope Pictures
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 3, 2009, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 5, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$302.7K
Runtime
1h 44m
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