Watch Monk With a Camera

Monk With a Camera is a 2014 documentary film that tells the story of Nicholas Vreeland, grandson of legendary Vogue editor Diana Vreeland, who, after a privileged upbringing in Paris, found his calling as a Tibetan Buddhist monk. However, he soon realized that his true passion lay in photography, and he left his monastic life to pursue it. The film follows the remarkable life journey of Nicholas Vreeland, who became the first Westerner to be ordained as a Tibetan Buddhist monk by his mentor Khyongla Rinpoche, and later returned to the secular world to become a renowned photographer.

The documentary begins with an examination of Nicholas Vreeland's childhood, growing up in glamorous surroundings in Paris as the grandson of Diana Vreeland. Despite his privileged upbringing, Nicholas had an innate spiritual curiosity which led him to travel extensively across Asia, learning meditation and studying Buddhism. He eventually settled at the Rato Monastery in southern India, where he was ordained as a monk by the revered Khyongla Rinpoche. The film sheds light on the austere and monastic life that Nicholas led for over a decade, his practice of asceticism, his devotion to his mentor and his deep immersion in Tibetan Buddhist culture.

However, the turning point in Nicholas' journey came when he discovered photography. Given his passion for capturing the essence and beauty of life around him, Nicholas saw photography as an art form that could convey a deeper message and connect people across cultures. After much contemplation, he decided to leave monastic life and pursue his dream of becoming a photographer. The film follows his journey across the globe, with his camera as his constant companion. We see the poignant contrast between his former monastic life and his current existence in the secular world, as he encounters beauty and chaos, love and loss, life and death, and the enigmatic complexities of human experience.

The film also provides fascinating insights into the Tibetan Buddhist culture, rituals and philosophy, as Nicholas explores his identity and tries to reconcile his monastic past with his present secular life. The presence of Khyongla Rinpoche in the film adds a unique dimension, as the revered teacher reflects on his relationship with Nicholas, his teachings on compassion and the importance of finding one's true nature, and his insights into Tibetan history and culture. We also see Nicholas reconnecting with his mother, and the film explores the complexities of family relationships and the meaning of home.

Throughout the documentary, Nicholas' photographs are interspersed, which evokes the beauty and poetry of his vision. We see him immersing himself in the lives and cultures of people across the globe- from his encounters with holy men in the Himalayas to his exploration of the subways of New York. The film illustrates the journey of a man who found his unique path amid the juxtapositions of culture and religion, the longing for spirituality and the thirst for artistry.

The film is a testament to the remarkable life of Nicholas Vreeland, and his journey of self-discovery and spiritual exploration. It draws a poignant picture of his life, first as a monk, then as a photographer, and how he reconciles the two worlds. The documentary is not only visually stunning but also unique in its approach, as it reveals Nicholas' path with raw honesty and authenticity, capturing the depths of his experiences, the nuances of his insights, and the transformative power of his art. It is a cinematic tribute to a remarkable individual whose life is a testament to the importance of finding one's unique voice and pursuing one's passions with unwavering commitment.

In conclusion, Monk With a Camera is a beautifully crafted and inspiring film that resonates with anyone who seeks to explore the complexities of life, spirituality or the pursuit of artistic expression. Through Nicholas, the film illuminates what it means to walk two worlds, and how, ultimately, the journey of life is one of self-discovery and transformation. It is a must-see documentary for anyone seeking to find their unique path in the world.

Monk With a Camera is a 2014 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8 and a MetaScore of 56.