Inspired by a true story, LITTLE BUDDHA begins with a group of Tibetan monks leaving their monastery in Bhutan to search for the reincarnation of a recently deceased high lama. Their quest takes them to Seattle, where they try to convince young Jesse's father and mother (Chris Isaak and Bridget Fonda) that their son may be the lama. Intercut throughout is the story of Siddhartha (played by Keanu Reeves), the prince who became the Buddha.

A Tibetan monk known as Lama Norbu (Ying Ruocheng), living in exile in Bhutan, is searching for the reincarnation of his teacher, Lama Dorje. His quest takes him to Seattle, where signs indicate that a boy named Jesse may be the lama. Bernardo Bertolucci 's tale is less hermetically sealed than THE LAST EMPEROR or THE SHELTERING SKY; cultures collide when we meet the boy's American parents (Bridget Fonda and actor/singer Chris Isaak), who are understandably skeptical about Lama Norbu's excitement. Ultimately, Jesse and his father are curious enough to travel to Nepal and Bhutan (as did Bertolucci's crew), where other candidates have been identified. Throughout the film, Bertolucci cuts to episodes in the life of Siddhartha (Keanu Reeves), whose voyage of discovery 2,500 years ago led to his enlightenment as the Buddha. Bertolucci shoots Siddhartha's journey in rich reds and golds, while the scenes in Seattle--where the Americans seem morose and lost--are muted in cool blue. LITTLE BUDDHA is an intimate story in which an ancient system of belief holds its own in the modern world.

Shot in Technicolor, Panavision, and 70mm.

Bertolucci originally planned to make a biographical drama about Buddha, but shifted gears to make this story about an American boy believed to be the reincarnation of a great lama, and the life of the Buddha-to-be, Prince Siddhartha.

The film was shot in both Nepal and Bhutan -- it is, in fact, the first film ever shot in Bhutan, and the filmmakers had to negotiate with both religious leaders and the King in order to get permission. Bertolucci was familiar with this process: he also has the distinction of being the first Westerner to film in Beijing's Forbidden City.

According to Premiere, Nepali girls - who may have seen "Point Break" on video - were crazy for Keanu Reeves. They tracked his whereabouts relentlessly.

Other recent films Bertolucci's shot in exotic locations include "The Sheltering Sky" (1990) and "The Last Emperor" (1987).

Ironically, Khyongla Rato - the actor who plays the abbot in the film -- was five-years-old, he was identified as a reincarnation of a lama. Before agreeing to make the film, Rato consulted with the Dalai Lama to get his approval of the project. Rato currently lives in New York City where he runs the Tibet Center.

Budget estimate $35 million.

Premiered in Paris on December 1, 1993.

Some versions of the film run as long as 140 minutes.

Released in New York City May 25, 1994.

Gordon McGill wrote the novel "Little Buddha" based on the screenplay by Wurlitzer and Peploe, published by Berkley Books.


Filmed on location in Seattle, Nepal, India and Bhutan. See "Ossian - American Boy Tibetan Monk."

Soundtrack available June 14, 1994 by Milan Entertainment.

Rated BBFC 12 by the British Board of Film Classification.

Copyright CIBY 2000 and Serprocor Anstalt.

DVD Features:

Region 1
Keep Case
Widescreen - 2.35
Audio:
Dobly Digital 2.0 Stereo Surround - English

Distributor Notes: Little Buddha

Keanu Reeves (SPEED) and Bridget Fonda (IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU) star in this motion picture spectacular from Academy Award(R)-winning director Bernardo Bertolucci (THE LAST EMPEROR). In a big American CIty, a boy and his family (Fonda and Chris Isaak -- SILENCE OF THE LAMBS) discover a story about a prince in a land of miracles. But the miracle becomes real when Tibetan monks appear, searching for their leader's reincarnation -- who they believe has been reborn in the boy. Suddenly, their worlds meet, leading the Americans on an extraordinary adventure!

Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment.

Keanu Reeves: American Actor, MATRIX (1999)
Bridget Fonda: American Actress, SINGLE WHITE FEMALE
Chris Isaak: American Singer/Actor
Ying Ruicheng: 
Alex Wiesendanger: Actor/"Little Buddha"

Bernardo Bertolucci: Italian Director, LAST TANGO IN PARIS (1972)

"...Soaringly beautiful..."
"...Fascinating to watch..."
"...A gorgeous, grandly presumptuous spectacle that really deserves to be seen....Reeves is truly a thing of beauty..."
"...Visually stunning....Reeves makes for a surprisingly watchable and dashing Siddhartha..."