Buddha Wild On

The distinctive and original film “Buddha Wild Monk in the Hut” by LA/Christchurch director and actress Anna Wilding (Carpe Diem Films) premiered at the Laemmle Cinema Los Angeles on March 24. Shot in a gritty news style combined with the full colours and sounds of a poetic narrative feature, Buddha Wild travels inside Thai culture and the Sri Lankan and Thai Buddhist missionary life. It discusses issues of war and religion, and the role of women in Asia. “A surprisingly pleasant trip” with a “homespun honesty and integrity” said LA Weekly. Union Jack newspaper said the film “captures our attention; the monks open up the most they have in a long time”. Anna Wilding says the film contains a simple message – to treat each other with respect and “loving kindness”. She says of the monks, “they have a freedom we do not have, yet they have a freedom we will never know.”