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THE SUN BEHIND THE CLOUDSMovie Reviews
Documentary about the longstanding conflict between China and Tibet, told from the perspective of the Tibetan people and examining the country's internal division with regard to the Dalai Lama. Cast:The Dalai Lama, Woeser, Lhadon Tethong, Tsering Shakya, Tenzin Tsundue, and Jamyang NorbuDirector:Ritu Sarin, Tenzing SonamRelease Date:March 31, 2010DVD Release:October 19, 2010From:Balcony ReleasingLength:1 hr 19 min
OCTOBER 19, 2010
The Sun Behind the Clouds, Good (Not Great) Reviews (Doc) Limited
The Sun Behind the Clouds played in limited release to good not great reviews. • Jeff Shannon wrote in the Seattle Times, "...offers the most thorough, balanced and up-to-date assessment of the dilemma facing Tibetans under oppressive Chinese rule." • And Mark Feeney wrote in the Boston Globe, "...lackluster... While never heavy-handed about its politics, the film makes no effort to disguise its strong anti-Chinese bias." More Reviews Below...
The Sun Behind the Clouds Positive Reviews (12 Reviews, reviews below)
The Sun Behind the Clouds has not been reviewed by Broad National Press
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NEW YORK/LOS ANGELES/CHICAGO/TORONTO (6 Reviews)
Neil Genzlinger, New York Times: MODERATE "Western viewers, accustomed to a less timid style of documentary, may come away from this one feeling that it only scratches the surface of a complex issue."(See all of Neil Genzlinger's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 279 words, 03/31/10
Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...the Dalai Lama requires a reasonable partner with whom to negotiate. And right now, it seems, the Tibetans may as well have their arms tied behind their backs."(See all of Elizabeth Weitzman's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 146 words, 04/02/10
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times: EXCELLENT "...beautiful, stirring and inescapably elegiac... illuminates the increasing complexity and contradictions in regard to the role of the Dalai Lama, exiled in India since 1959."(See all of Kevin Thomas's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 271 words, 06/25/10
V.A. Musetto, New York Post: VERY GOOD(cg) "...does a superlative job of examining the half-century dispute over Chinese rule of mountainous Tibet.... well-made, richly photographed..."(See all of V.A. Musetto's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 260 words, 03/31/10
Michelle Orange, Village Voice/LA Weekly: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "The pitched battle between the Lama and the Chinese evinces politics at its worst, and many Tibetans have had enough..."(See all of Michelle Orange's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 207 words, 03/30/10
KEY CITIES (3 Reviews)
Mark Feeney, Boston Globe: MODERATE(cg) "...a lackluster film.... While never heavy-handed about its politics, the film makes no effort to disguise its strong anti-Chinese bias."(See all of Mark Feeney's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 504 words, 04/30/10
Walter Addiego, San Francisco Chronicle: VERY GOOD(cg) "Most notably, the film offers footage secretly shot in Tibet showing China's brutal crackdown against independence protesters in 2008..."(See all of Walter Addiego's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 269 words, 06/18/10
Jeff Shannon, Seattle Times: VERY GOOD(cg) "...offers the most thorough, balanced and up-to-date assessment of the dilemma facing Tibetans under oppressive Chinese rule."(See all of Jeff Shannon's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 348 words, 04/16/10
ALTERNATIVE/INDIE PRESS (3 Reviews)
Michelle Orange, Village Voice/LA Weekly: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "The pitched battle between the Lama and the Chinese evinces politics at its worst, and many Tibetans have had enough..."(See all of Michelle Orange's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 207 words, 03/30/10
Shaula Clark, Boston Phoenix: VERY GOOD(cg) "...this quietly intense documentary from husband-and-wife filmmakers Tenzing Sonam and Ritu Sarin shines a light on the inter-Tibetan turbulence."(See all of Shaula Clark's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 166 words, 04/29/10
HIGHBROW PRESS (2 Reviews)
Neil Genzlinger, New York Times: MODERATE "Western viewers, accustomed to a less timid style of documentary, may come away from this one feeling that it only scratches the surface of a complex issue."(See all of Neil Genzlinger's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 279 words, 03/31/10
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times: EXCELLENT "...beautiful, stirring and inescapably elegiac... illuminates the increasing complexity and contradictions in regard to the role of the Dalai Lama, exiled in India since 1959."(See all of Kevin Thomas's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 271 words, 06/25/10
MOVIE INDUSTRY (4 Reviews)
Robert Koehler, Daily Variety: VERY GOOD "...provides a two-sided view of the complex political and social dynamics within and outside Tibet.... not an angry film but a notably calm, well-considered and balanced one."(See all of Robert Koehler's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 665 words, 01/20/10
Sheri Linden, Hollywood Reporter: VERY GOOD "The well-crafted film benefits from the understated lament of Oscar winner Gustavo Santaolalla's score. But the main melody here is the voices of the Tibetan people."(See all of Sheri Linden's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 672 words, 01/14/10
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times: EXCELLENT "...beautiful, stirring and inescapably elegiac... illuminates the increasing complexity and contradictions in regard to the role of the Dalai Lama, exiled in India since 1959."(See all of Kevin Thomas's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 271 words, 06/25/10
Neil Genzlinger, New York Times: MODERATE "Western viewers, accustomed to a less timid style of documentary, may come away from this one feeling that it only scratches the surface of a complex issue."(See all of Neil Genzlinger's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 279 words, 03/31/10
12.7 Percentage Points Average Difference Between Reviews (Norm is 18.4pp; <18.4pp = More Consistent; >18.4pp = More Mixed)
The Sun Behind the Clouds's reviews are separated by an average 12.7 percentage points. The norm for this measure is 18.4 percentage points. Less than 18.4 indicates more consistent reviews; greater than 18.4 indicates more mixed reviews. In the chart below, each dot represents a review, with the dots at the top more positive than the dots at the bottom. From left to right, the dots represent reviews in big, bigger and biggest publications. Roll over each dot for more detail.
The Sun Behind the Clouds (12 reviews) Roll over dots for each review
Coverage:The Sun Behind the Clouds's reviews cover 12.4% of potential readers (average is 67.9%). Volume:The film's reviews total 4,007 words involume (average is 20,194 words). Length:The film's reviews average 334 words in length (the norm is 517 words).
The Sun Behind the Clouds Coverage, Volume & Length (12 Reviews, reviews below)
Reviews Broke 17 Days After Release (Norm is 1.2 Release)
The Sun Behind the Clouds's reviews on average broke 17 days after opening. Norm for this measure is 1.2 hours before. The chart below shows reviews on opening day and the days before and after opening; the left side is earlier and the right side is later. The red bars extending above the horizontal mid-line represent more positive reviews, and the red bars extending below represent more negative reviews. The white space/red bar in the middle is The Sun Behind the Clouds's opening day. Click on any bar for a list of the reviews for that day.
The Sun Behind the Clouds (12 reviews, click on bars for reviews)
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