GUARANTEED ENLIGHTENMENT: DORIS DÖRRIE FILMS
Written and Directed by: Doris Dörrie, Germany (1999), 109 min., German and Japanese with English Subtitles, digital. Starring: Gustav Peter Wöhler, Uwe Ochsenknecht, Heiner Lauterbach, Anica Dobra, Ulrike Kriener
Brothers Gustav and Uwe couldn’t be any different from one another. In an effort to find himself, 40-something Gustav plans a trip for a retreat in a Zen monastery in Japan. After his wife leaves him, Uwe’s life is in a tailspin. Distraught, Uwe asks his Gustav if he can accompany him on his trip, and Gustav reluctantly agrees. Enroute, the two brothers mid-life crises take a turn for the worse when they get lost in the neon jungle of night-time Tokyo.
With nothing in their pockets, the two wander through the city, where even the simplest of tasks become major, even comical challenges. When they ultimately arrive at the monastery, what awaits them is not what they expected, as they are met with a different set of subtle challenges, leading the two to question, whether or not they can ever truly obtain enlightenment.
Presented with the support of the Japan Foundation LA
$1 validated parking (for events only) on weekdays after 6:00 pm and all day on weekends in the Wilshire Courtyard West underground garage-P1.
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