Malila: The Farewell Flower

This is not for everyone; you need to be in the right head space (mood) in order to truly appreciate this.

Many may misunderstand or be unfamiliar w/the culture. Becoming a "monk" in Thailand is not the same to becoming a priest, taking "vows" and being a monk in Western culture. It can be something temporary and transient. There are rules ...but they are not mandatory. Like preparing for "Confirmation" in Catholicism (or the Bar mitzmah in Judaism), being "Buddhist" in Thailand means that EVERY MAN is required to become a monk for a period of time before the age of 20 (the majority of which is only about a few weeks). Young men do this in order to receive good karma and benefit.

Having been raised as Catholic, I found this captivating and was fascinated by the Buddhist message that tries to show us to live in the "now," be "present," appreciate life ...and be try to be one with the universe. It's a beautiful and very "spiritual" film which gives us a rare glimpse into a non-western culture, beliefs and traditions.

I originally found some of the scenes a bit morbid and quite odd. But in hindsight, I don't know if there was a better way to do it. This movie is timeless ...same thing could have happened hundreds of years ago and little would be changed.

DO NOT watch this simply expecting a "gay" flick. The characters being "gay" is insignificant here. In Buddhism, one needs to be accepting of all living things; being "gay" is NOT wrong per the Buddhist philosophy (but still may not be fully embraced by Thai society).