India Films #6: Rare Eastern Culture Screening

Fri, Feb 10
8:30PM
$10.00 Reservations Please-Limited Seating

On Friday, February 10th at 8:30PM Oddball Film+Video presents a rare
screening of pioneer filmmakers Irving and Elda Hartley's evocative
films. Films include "India and the Infinite: The Soul of
India"(Color, 16mm, 1979), "Requiem For a Faith: Tibetan
Buddhism"(Color,1979) both written and narrated by the great ethno
religious author and historian Dr. Houston Smith and "Buddhism: Man
and Nature"(Color, 1978), written by Zen Buddhist and world renown
author Alan Watts. Additional shorts will also be screened.
The screening will take place at Oddball Film+Video, 275 Capp St.
Admission is by reservation and is $10.00. Reservations can be made
at: or by phone at 415.558.8117. The program
will be projected in 16mm.

In "India and the Infinite" The Soul of a People"(Color, 1979) images
gathered from Kashmir to Varanasi to Bombay combine with the poetic
narration of renowned religion historian Dr. Huston Smith(author of
the classic " Religions of Man") to underscore how so much in Indian
culture, from the most mundane daily ritual to temple ceremonies,
carries the promise of spiritual awakening.
Exploring both the sensuality and asceticism present in this
remarkable culture Smith, one of the most eloquent and accessible
writers on the history of religion and culture brilliantly conveys
the seemingly impossible task of giving viewers a concept of what
India is truly like-from the inside out.

Smith takes the viewer through a country of infinite variety and many
religions-Islam, Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Christianity and of
course, Hinduism-its love of ritual and what it symbolizes, it's
great art and architecture and the extraordinary leap of
consciousness that birthed the concept "You are God". "India and the
Infinite: The Soul of a People" illuminates a land of paradoxes and
lingering beauty. Winner of the Cine Golden Eagle, 1979.

Isolated for eons within the remote Himalayas, Tibet developed a
deeply religious society, one in which one-sixth of the male
population became monks. Tibet has steadfastly maintained its unique
identity, even under occupation. In 1967, famed documentarian Elda
Hartley and Dr. Huston Smith the narrator, traveled to Tibet to
research and shoot "Requiem For A Faith": Tibetan Buddhism". Hartley
preserves the images of spirituality - the fluttering prayer flags,
the lavishly intricate artwork and dance, the monks engaged in lively
debate. Smith's meditation offers a comprehensive overview of the
Tibetan belief system, from its deep compassion and densely populated
spirit world, to the role of the Dalai Lama and the many methods used
in the journey towards enlightenment.
This award-winning film provides a rare glimpse of hypnotic chanting
ceremonies of the Tibetan Buddhist monks, who use a chanting
technique so unusual that modern science has yet to understand it.
Smith narrates this portrait of a society "that is so close to the
sky, the natural occupation of its people is to pray."

In the wake of the Vietnam War and Watergate, Alan Watts, Buddhist
scholar and author introduced Eastern religion to a broad range of
Americans thirsting for a belief system that could help them
reconcile modern life with spiritual life. In this classic short
film, "Buddhism: Man and Nature"(Color, 1978) Watts collaborated with
Irving and Elda Hartley, leading pioneers in the field of religion on
film, to illustrate his meditation on Buddhist spiritual practice as
it can be applied to his day. The film offers viewers a window into
the life and mind of Watts, the late 20th century Zen master, but
also the experience of a timeless, masterfully guided meditation
guided by Watt's eloquent prose and the Hartley's crystalline images.
The award-winning result is this elegant, experiential film.

Venue:

Oddball Film+Video
275 Capp Street
San Francisco
415-558-8117
www.oddballfilm.com

Off Mission between 17th and 18th, Mission and S Van Ness-closer to
18th St.
Parking on Mission and/or S Van Ness.

Additional Info:

415-558-8117
www.oddballfilm.com