Wheel of Time

Filmed on location in India, Austria, and Tibet, Wheel of Time is Herzog’s outsider view of Tibetan Buddhist spirituality in general, and the Kalachakra (“wheel of time” is one translation) initiation in particular, with a side trip to witness the pilgrimage around Mt. Kailash. Herzog narrates with honesty and clarity throughout, and brings a novice’s enthusiasm and the delight of discovery to every scene. At the 2003 International Buddhist Film Festival in Los Angeles, Herzog detailed the harrowing experiences he endured to capture stunning images of 450,000 Tibetans on pilgrimage, and to resounding applause he said, “I’m not a Buddhist, but I knew that even in such a huge crowd of people there was not one who would pick up arms or start a war.”

“Wheel of Time is less about words than about being plunged into an intensely devotional world, feeling its tug and sensing its extreme austerity.” — Stephen Holden, The New York Times

Film Details

Country: Germany
Languages: English, German

Year: 2003
Running time: 80 min
Format: DCP
Director: Werner Herzog
Producer: Lucki Stipetic
Cinematographer: Peter Zeitlinger
Editor: Joe Bini
Print Source: Werner Herzog Filmproduktion

Films and schedules may be subject to change.

Modern Cinema’s Founding Supporters are Carla Emil and Rich Silverstein. Generous support is provided by Nion T. McEvoy and the Susan Wildberg Morgenstein Fund. Additional support is provided by Becky Draper.