
Nicholas Vreeland walked away from a worldly life of privilege to become a Tibetan Buddhist monk. Grandson of legendary Vogue editor, Diana Vreeland, and trained by Irving Penn to become a photographer, Nicholas' life changed drastically upon meeting a Tibetan master, one of the teachers of the Dalai Lama. Soon thereafter, he gave up his glamorous life to live in a monastery in India, where he studied Buddhism for fourteen years. In an ironic twist of fate, Nicholas went back... (Full plot summary below)
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Nicholas Vreeland walked away from a worldly life of privilege to become a Tibetan Buddhist monk. Grandson of legendary Vogue editor, Diana Vreeland, and trained by Irving Penn to become a photographer, Nicholas' life changed drastically upon meeting a Tibetan master, one of the teachers of the Dalai Lama. Soon thereafter, he gave up his glamorous life to live in a monastery in India, where he studied Buddhism for fourteen years. In an ironic twist of fate, Nicholas went back to photography to help his fellow monks rebuild their monastery. Recently, the Dalai Lama appointed Nicholas as Abbot of the monastery, making him the first Westerner in Tibetan Buddhist history, to attain such a highly regarded position.
Leave your thoughts about Monk with a Camera.
| Village VoiceDiana ClarkeMonk With a Camera hints at answers, but imposes nothing. Like a good photograph, or a wise abbot, it only presents the evidence and allows us to arrive at truth. |
| VarietyDennis HarveyClearly regarded with great affection by his mentors (as well as supporters like Richard Gere), Vreeland makes very pleasant company... The directors adopt a similarly unpretentious, bemused tone in following him around. |
| RogerEbert.comGodfrey CheshireSo, while the film doesn’t delve into the doctrines of Tibetan Buddhism, it does provide a sense of its outward life in the images of the people and rituals of the monastery to which Nicky Vreeland has devoted so much love and care. |
| Seattle WeeklyRobert HortonMonk With a Camera has a placid air about it, an air of acceptance, perhaps. That it embodies a certain Buddhist calm is appropriate, although it doesn't make for the most exciting movie-watching experience. |
| PopMattersCynthia FuchsMonk With a Camera suggests that this conflict can be more expansive, that art and communication, ego and compassion might shape all kinds of lives. |
| Epoch TimesJoe BendelFor a film so focused on the spiritual life, Camera is surprisingly lively. |
| The Stranger (Seattle, WA)Kathy FennessyThere are only so many wealthy white guys who chuck it all for life as a Buddhist monk. |
| Spectrum CulturePat PaduaMonk with a Camera is a watchable film with an amiable subject, but it raises far more questions than it is troubled to ask. |
| The DissolveCharles BramescoToo frequently, Monk With A Camera feels like a character study with no interest in studying its character. |
| Los Angeles TimesBetsy SharkeyUltimately the documentary falls short of explaining why Vreeland not only made his choice but maintained it. |