Kundun

Kundun
Theatrical release poster
Directed byMartin Scorsese
Written byMelissa Mathison
Produced byBarbara De Fina
Starring
  • Tenzin Thuthob Tsarong
  • Gyurme Tethong
  • Tulku Jamyang Kunga Tenzin
  • Tenzin Yeshi Paichang
CinematographyRoger Deakins
Edited byThelma Schoonmaker
Music byPhilip Glass
Production
companies
Distributed byBuena Vista Pictures Distribution (United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Ireland)
Canal+ Image International (International)
Release date
  • December 25, 1997 (1997-12-25) (United States)
Running time
134 minutes
CountryUnited States
Languages
Budget$28 million
Box office$5.7 million

Kundun is a 1997 American epic biographical film written by Melissa Mathison and directed by Martin Scorsese. It is based on the life and writings of the 14th Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso (known also as Kundun), the exiled political and spiritual leader of Tibet. A grandnephew of the Dalai Lama, Tenzin Thuthob Tsarong, stars as the adult Dalai Lama, while the Dalai Lama's niece Tencho Gyalpo appears as his mother.

The film's release greatly angered the Chinese government, which objected to its content and threatened to block distributor Disney from accessing the Chinese market as a result. Disney consequently apologized and limited distribution of the film.