Exploring Zen Through Film:
- jersklar7
- Jan 12
- 5 min read
Updated: Jan 15
In a world filled with chaos and distractions, finding moments of tranquility can be a challenge. Films have the unique ability to transport us to different realms, allowing us to experience emotions and philosophies that resonate deeply within us. Among these philosophies, Zen stands out for its emphasis on mindfulness, simplicity, and the beauty of the present moment.
In this post, I will explore my top ten filmmakers that have influenced my work in a profound way, who encapsulate Zen principles through their body of work in film.*
*It is important to note, this is a completely subjective essay, and I do not mean to imply these filmmakers were consciously Zen or Zen Buddhist filmmakers in their approach, only that the end result struck certain Zen principles within me.
Zen Principles in Film
Zen is not just a philosophy; it is a way of life that encourages us to be present, to appreciate the beauty in simplicity, and to find peace amidst the noise. Films that embody these principles often feature minimalistic storytelling, serene visuals, and profound messages that invite viewers to reflect on their own lives after watching, while watching.
Key Elements of Zen in Film
Mindfulness: The practice of being fully present in the moment.
Simplicity: Emphasizing the beauty of uncomplicated narratives and visuals.
Nature: Often depicted as a source of peace and reflection.
Silence: The use of quiet moments to evoke contemplation and introspection.
10: Akira Kurosawa's DREAMS
Any film from this Japanese master of staging and blocking for the camera, of quiet composition that can explode into action is worth seeing. But there is something meditative, quiet, peaceful and horrific in this anthology film which the title aptly describes. Some dreams have a haunting beauty that have stayed with me since I sat alone in the now defunct Fine Arts Theater of Chicago on a late Sunday evening showing of this masterpiece. It feels as if you have truly wandered into a strangers sleep cycle. The visuals alone stil resonate in my unconscious mind.
9: Paul Schrader's FIRST REFORMED (2017)
Set against the backdrop of a serene lake, this film tells the story of a fisherman who finds peace in the rhythm of casting his line. The stillness of the water reflects his inner calm, reminding viewers of the importance of finding stillness within themselves. The film captures the essence of Zen through its stunning visuals and the quiet contemplation of the protagonist. Watch these two scenes, and know you're in the hands of contemplative master with wild reckless side bubbling beneath his surface.
8: Apichatpong Weerasethkul's UNCLE BOONMEE WHO CAN RECALL HIS PAST LIFE
An experience like no other, Weerasethkul's "Uncle Boonmee" is a cinematic trip, as funny as it is powerfully moving about what it means to be alive throught the prism of death and of course... rebirth... maybe... As one character says: "Heaven is overrated."
7: Terrence Malick's THE TREE OF LIFE
Quite frankly, the boldest, largest budgeted, transcendent film I have ever seen. Any one of Malick's film could make this list, but the audacity of "Tree of Life" brings it to my top 10 in transcendent cinema. I mean, any film that has an abusive father in Brad Pitt, with a son that grows up to be Sean Penn, with interludes of Jessica Chastain touching the wheat fields behind her home and interspersed with the dawn of creation and dinosaurs for good measure... and it actually working as both story and meditation on existence... wow!
6: Ingmar Bergman's THE SEVENTH SEAL
Death is a character playing chess for the soul of a Medieval Warrior back from the Crusades, shamed at his pointless violence. A traveling band of actors seek refuge as the plague sweeps the countryside, as they remain hopeful, imaginative though time is not on their side in Ingmar Bergman's greatest film. As frightening as it is purely entertaining and even funny in moments. One could argue his faith trilogy of 'Through A Glass Darkly' - 'Winter Light' and 'The Silence' might fit this Transcendental category more and you'd get no arguemet from me. But 'The Seventh Seal' transports me each and every time I view it. It also surprises me with how human, warm and entertaining the film remains.
5: Clint Bentley's TRAIN DREAMS (2025)
A gorgeous excavation of the buiding of America, shouldered by Joel Edgerton's understated performance. A film put out by Netflix that demands to be seen writ large. As epic as it is intimate, a portrait of the silent, humble folks that didn't make a name for themselves, but whose backs we travel upon ever since.
4: Carlos Reygadas SILENT LIGHT
Inspired by the famous quote, this film follows a traveler who embarks on a pilgrimage. Along the way, he encounters various challenges that test his resolve. Each obstacle becomes a lesson in patience and perseverance, embodying the Zen belief that the journey is just as important as the destination.
3: Stanley Kubrick's EYES WIDE SHUT
What was expected to be a sexually explicit movie with the world's greatest director and the biggest star couple on the planet turns out to be a meditative joke on the male ego in Stanley Kubrick's last film, a shattering masterpiece years and years ahead of #metoo, Jeffery Epstein grotesquerie discoveries, all that, and Cruise and Kidman have never been better. Why is this film chosen over the more obviously meditative 2001 A Space Odyessy? I don't know, except to say this film, a collective dream of male id's power fantasy, rattled my cage - obliterating ego like no other film I've ever seen. The scene included here is not really a spoiler, because who knows what the fuck happened in the nightmare of man that is "Eyes Wide Shut."
2: Andrei Tarkovsky's STALKER
This touching story revolves around an elderly artist who paints a single leaf on a canvas. As the seasons change, the leaf remains, symbolizing hope and resilience. The film conveys the Zen message that even in the face of impermanence, beauty can endure, reminding us to cherish each moment.
1: Robert Bresson's 'A MAN ESCAPED'
French Cinema's reigning king of minimalistic compositions, staging and performance, Robert Bresson's Jansenist approach to Catholicism results in some of the most sublime, simple and transcendent cinema known to human kind. His insistence on working only with non-professional actors only contributes to his aesthetic. His rehearsal process with his non-actors would involve having them robotically repeat tasks sans all emotion, often having them rigorously repeat these tasks hundreds of times in a row before he would commit their 'tasks' to film, resulting in a sort of meditative, trance like performance art that is without the normal behavioral commentary most actors bring to their work. A truly one of a kind experience watching Bresson's mastery at work, with 'A MAN ESCAPED' being perhaps his most accessible, most imitated work of art. A study in filming only what needs to be filmed as epitomized by this scene here, an opening failed attempt to flee the German occupation of WWI. It is as fascinating to contemplate what he leaves OUT as much as what choices he makes to leave in.
Conclusion: Embracing Zen Through Film
These ten short stories offer a glimpse into the world of Zen through the lens of film. Each narrative invites us to reflect on our own lives, encouraging mindfulness, simplicity, and a deeper appreciation for the present moment. As we navigate the complexities of modern life, these films serve as gentle reminders to pause, breathe, and find peace within ourselves.
By exploring Zen through film, we can cultivate a greater sense of awareness and tranquility in our daily lives. So, the next time you find yourself overwhelmed, consider watching one of these films to reconnect with the essence of Zen. Embrace the journey, and let the stories inspire you to live more mindfully.
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