Isadora Gabrielle Leidenfrost

The beginning of this film is entrancing as we watch monk after monk pour out of a monastery doorway carrying a 300 pound tangka rolled up like a carpet. The ten-story high piece is hung on the side of a mountain for a few hours of ceremony, and then carry it back inside for another twelve year wait when it will be be seen again. Even more interesting as we learn this is not a tangka painted on a fabric canvas, but a creation entirely of silk appliquéd and embroidered, entirely made by hand, and embellished with gold thread precious and semi-precious stones. Leslie (Freilich) Rinchen-Wongmo was similarly struck when she first saw fabric thagkas, so struck she moved to Dharamsala to learn more about Tibetan Buddhism and the art of fabric tangka making. This moving film documents her life, artistic process, and completed work. Highly recommended especially for those interested in Buddhist, textiles, or sacred art. -- Jennifer… (meer)