Journey to the West (2014 film)


Journey to the West is a 2014 French-Taiwanese film directed by Tsai Ming-liang. The title is inspired by the 16th century Chinese literary classic of the same name. It had its world premiere at the Panorama section of the 64th Berlin International Film Festival in February 2014. It is an entry in Tsai's "Walker series" of films.

Synopsis

The film content consists almost entirely of long, minimalist sequences showing a Buddhist monk in saffron robe walking very slowly — according to the Zen kinhin practice — through public spaces in Marseilles, France, while passersby swarm around him. It begins, however, with a long, extreme closeup on the French actor Denis Lavant, who is later seen again following behind the monk and matching his every move exactly.

Release

Journey to the West is included among the "Extras" on the Stray Dogs DVD.