Directed by Guido Santi and Tina Mascara
A dedicated photographer met Khyongla Rato Rinpoche (The Tibet Center founder) in 1977, the Dalai Lama in 1979, became a monk in 1985, and the Abbot of Rato Monastery in 2012. His story is unique becauase he is first Westerner named to this post in a Tibetan Buddhist monastery. This captivating feature film following Nicolas Vreeland’s Buddhist commitment and interaction with the world deservedly won Best Documentary at the 2014 Palm Springs International Film Festival.
At first glance, Vreeland is an unlikely monk. Nicky, as supportive family and friends call him, is the grandson of Diana Vreeland, the fashion-hall-of-fame editor of Vogue, and the son of diplomatic fashionista parents. At a young age, Nicholas became an accomplished photographer, apprenticing with Irving Penn and Richard Avedon, who traveled the world camera in hand.
When the Dalai Lama appointed Vreeland Abbot of Rato Monastery, he stated his hope for him to “become an agent of change.” One way Vreeland accomplishes this is through his camera’s lens; encouraged by friends and supporters, he has sold photographs in galleries worldwide to help fund the growth of Rato Monastery.
Santi and Mascara tell Vreeland’s story following him into monasteries and art galleries, sitting in private meetings with the Dalai Lama, and interviewing family and friends (including notable Buddhist Richard Gere) to deftly tell Vreeland’s story with inspiration and wry humor. Monk with a Camera opens in LA on December 12.
Read LA YOGA’s insightful interview with Nicky Vreeland here: Nicky Vreeland Interview
Reviewed by Karen Henry, Associate Editor of LA YOGA.
