Today is better than two tomorrows
A coming of age story of the friendship between two Buddhist novices in Laos.
Directed by Anna Rodgers
Produced by Siobhán Ward
Video: Trailer
Overview
Synopsis
Leh and Bo are eleven years old – cousins and best friends – in Laos, South East Asia. Their future looks certain – leave school, marry young, and toil season after season in the paddy fields. However, their uncle Bounmy comes home one day with another idea. They must leave the village where they’ve grown up and move to the temple filled city of Luang Prabang... study hard, learn English, and maybe one day they’ll have an office job and be happy. These are their last days of childhood on the banks of the Mekong River.
Leh enters a new world of orange robes, morning alms and monastic discipline, while Bo struggles to find his own way in a new town. In quiet moments they dream of the family they left behind and the whispering rice fields full of spirits. A new year comes and, with the help of lantern lighting, wish doctors and baci ceremonies, these boys find their path to a better future.
Stage
finished
Running time
75 minutes
Links
Official Website
Today is better than two tomorrows Official Website
Production Details
Prod. Co.
Crossing the Line Films
Country
Ireland
Production years
2005 - 2009
Locations
Laos, South East Asia
Prod. Partners
Irish Film Board
Distribution Details
Release year
2009
Festivals
Full Frame, Jameson Dublin Int Film Fest, Galway Film Fleadh, Guth Gafa, Canberra Int , Vancouver Int, Sebastopol Doc Film Fest, Tiburon, Thin Line Film Festl, Thessaloniki Doc Fest, European Spiritual Film Fest, Women's int Film & art, East End Film Fest
Awards
Best Documentary, Luang Prabang Film Festival. Highly Commended, Radharc Awards 2010
Language
Lao
Subtitles
English
Produced by Siobhán Ward
Video: Trailer
Overview
Synopsis
Leh and Bo are eleven years old – cousins and best friends – in Laos, South East Asia. Their future looks certain – leave school, marry young, and toil season after season in the paddy fields. However, their uncle Bounmy comes home one day with another idea. They must leave the village where they’ve grown up and move to the temple filled city of Luang Prabang... study hard, learn English, and maybe one day they’ll have an office job and be happy. These are their last days of childhood on the banks of the Mekong River.
Leh enters a new world of orange robes, morning alms and monastic discipline, while Bo struggles to find his own way in a new town. In quiet moments they dream of the family they left behind and the whispering rice fields full of spirits. A new year comes and, with the help of lantern lighting, wish doctors and baci ceremonies, these boys find their path to a better future.