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The Daily Tar Heel

Review: Check your pulse after “Walk With Me”

With midterms and “hell weeks” approaching quickly, many could benefit from the lessons and relief the documentary “Walk With Me” offers. Directed by Max Pugh and Marc J. Francis, the film presents a view in the life and values of Thich Nhat Hanh, renowned author and teacher of the Zen Buddhist life. 

The documentary begins with a chime, silencing the audience and drawing attention directly to the film.

You are welcomed by a family of monks and nuns into Plum Village, an oasis of mindfulness and meditation centered in rural France. Here everything occurs at a glacial pace — cooking, eating and even walking. 

The emphasis is on everyday activities taken for granted by most and being grateful for all that life gives you — even speaking is seen as a distraction.  

The film draws deeply from the day-to-day practices of those that reside at Plum Village. It immediately engages the audience at the beginning of the film as the new villagers arrive and the head shaving ceremony inducts them in as monks and nuns.  

Chimes ring every 15 minutes in Plum Village in order to prevent the monks and nuns from becoming disengaged from the moment and to bring awareness back into their actions. The entire village goes silent and waits for the chimes to cease before returning back to their activities.  

However, despite the abundance of information provided on the day-to-day activities at Plum Village, the documentary lacks information regarding its history. The only context given regarding Thich Nhat Hanh was that he was exiled from Vietnam during the Vietnam War for promoting peace. 

More background on what the different ceremonies mean and how Plum Village came to be would have been appreciated.

The documentary ends with a chime and the credits begin to roll, bringing the viewer back into the present. One can’t help but leave the movie feeling calm and relieved (and a little sleepy) after experiencing just an hour and a half of Plum Village.  

While it doesn’t offer much clarity or answers in achieving mindfulness, one can appreciate the soothing meditative mood provided by “Walk With Me.”

@isabellyperry

arts@dailytarheel.com

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