Dear friends,
We’re happy to announce a new series of short films which is now available on the Plum Village App and its YouTube channel.
Do you remember our immersive videos, which captured the sights and sounds of the Plum Village community in France? Miguel Sánchez, who directed those beloved shorts, is also the director (and cinematographer) behind the new series.
The moments Miguel captured in Plum Village over the course of 2022 – including during public retreats with lay practitioners – have been a success with our followers for the way they capture meaning through minimal frames, gestures, or details. In this way, they convey states practitioners will be familiar with, giving them ‘ah-ha!’ moments of recognition.
We caught up with Miguel in Spain, where he now lives while working on film projects. Here’s what he shared about the new shorts:
Why ‘moments’? Are they aimed at a particular audience?
I use the word “moments” as an invitation to the viewer to make a brief stop and enjoy an instant of contemplation thanks to the audiovisual language. The videos are very short, less than two minutes, and are aimed at all people, whatever their beliefs, age, gender, etc. I have made them from my love for human beings.
How did you come up with this idea?
Plum Village is very important in my life. It has transformed me and continues to do so. I simply want to share what I have learned so that others can enjoy it too.
How many videos are in the series?
I have finished editing nine videos, but I may do more. I feel that each video is an opportunity to express myself through art, something that is cultivated a lot in Plum Village: integrating artistic expression into spiritual practice.
Who are the people in the videos? Where and when did you film them?
They are all practitioners from Plum Village, lay people and monks. Their human quality is exceptional. I feel that the videos are born from a deep gratitude for our friendship.
How did you pitch this idea to the monastic community?
It was the easiest thing in the world, I didn’t have to do anything special. Given my professional experience in film, sometimes I offered to help them filming Dharma Talks and other events, and other times I filmed more personal videos. They always trusted that I filmed with respect for the community.
Plum Village has been infinitely generous to me, lending me recording equipment and helping me reconcile with my passion for art, and specifically, cinema.
Anything else about this series you’d like to share with us?
I would like to wholeheartedly thank the people who take their precious time to watch the videos.
Miguel also said that he would love to return to Plum Village soon. And whenever that occurs, some zen filmmaking magic is bound to happen.
Enjoy the Plum Village moments!
➛ Watch more Plum Village Moments on YouTube
➛ Watch more short films on the Plum Village App and YouTube.
☁️ As has been the case with Buddhist teachings for millennia, there is no charge for the Plum Village App and its digital content. However, if your means allow, please consider offering a donation to support our small team’s continued work on the app.
Thank you for these wonderful moments and even the moment of reading this lovely Blog.
Dear Cyn, thank you for the kind words. A lotus for you 🙏
I find these short videos so beautiful . Some I have shared . I love the
quietud and the peace they transmit. Thank you.
Thank you for the kind words, dear friend. Miguel Sanchez is a very talented director. We love his work too. A lotus for you 🙏
It is resulting into widening my knowledge about meditation practice. Before visiting Plump Village App, I was concentrated and kept limited to the knowledge that I gained from the Assistant Teacher of the first Indian Legendry Vippashana Teacher Shri S N Goyenka ji.
Thank you very much.
Dear friend, thank you for sharing this with us. With gratitude 🙏