The Cup, the debut feature film by Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche (a.k.a. Khyentse Norbu), was released on 13 November 2007 on DVD in North America by Festival Media.

The story of young monks in a Tibetan monastery in exile obsessed with World Cup soccer is both an audience-pleasing comedy and an insider’s look at the challenges for Buddhist traditions in the face of modernizing changes.

This breakthrough film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and had a successful theatrical run in over twenty countries. Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun Times called it a “wonderful and delightful comedy,” and Jeffrey Wachs of Reel.com said it’s “the best glimpse of…Tibetan Buddhist culture yet to make it to the screen.”

The DVD was mastered from a new direct-to-digital transfer from the original film, and includes a bonus documentary entitled Inside The Cup, featuring the director discussing the film, cinema in general and Buddhist philosophy, along with outtakes from the film. There is also a director’s commentary audio track.

“We’re delighted to be introducing new audiences to this extraordinary director and his wonderful film,” Festival Media executive director Gaetano Maida says. “Beginning with the US premiere of Travellers & Magicians at our 2003 International Buddhist Film Festival (IBFF) in LA, we’ve been honored to help bring his work to audiences through our festivals around the world and now through our DVD distribution service.” A portion of the proceeds from sales of The Cup will benefit Khyentse Foundation.

MORE INFORMATION: Festival Media Web Site

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