Watch Becoming Who I Was

Becoming Who I Was is a 2017 documentary film that follows the journey of a young boy named Padma Angdu from a remote village in Ladakh, India, who is believed to be the reincarnation of a high-ranking Tibetan monk. The film, directed by Chang-Yong Moon and Jin Jeon, takes us on an emotional journey as we watch Padma's journey to discover his true identity.

The story begins when Padma is just six years old and is living with his mother in a small village in Ladakh. Padma's story is quite unique as he discovers that he is not an ordinary child, but a Rinpoche, which means "precious one" in Tibetan. This discovery is made by a high-ranking Tibetan monk who recognizes Padma's unique features, his extraordinary intelligence, and his uncanny ability to recite religious texts, which he could not have learned in his short life.

The monk believes that Padma is the reincarnation of a revered teacher who has died recently, and believes that it is his duty to reunite Padma with his former monastery in Tibet. Thus, the journey begins as Padma and his monk mentor, Urgain, set out on a pilgrimage to Tibet, which involves a treacherous journey of more than 1,000 miles through the Himalayas.

The film takes a slow and contemplative pace, which allows the viewer to fully appreciate the natural beauty of the region, the rich cultural heritage of the Tibetan people, and the challenges that the two travellers face while making their journey. They are exposed to extreme weather conditions, lack of food and water, and other dangers that come from crossing such a rugged terrain. Throughout it all, Padma remains stoic and resilient, even as he begins to understand the gravity of his situation.

As the journey progresses, we begin to see the development of a unique bond between Padma and Urgain, who takes on a paternal role in the young boy's life. We see Urgain's tireless efforts to protect Padma and his determination to ensure that Padma's true identity is fully realized. The two are often seen engaged in deep conversations, where Urgain explains the complexities of life, death and the nature of reincarnation.

The film is beautifully shot and has a meditative quality that allows the viewer to fully immerse herself in the experience of the young boy and his mentor. The music is also well done, and the soothing tones and rhythms of the traditional Tibetan music add to the film's contemplative mood.

One of the most powerful aspects of the film is the way in which it explores the concept of identity. Padma is caught between two worlds: he is a Ladakhi boy living in a remote village with his mother, but he is also a Rinpoche and a future spiritual leader. He is not yet fully aware of the significance of his role, but he knows that he is somehow different from everyone else.

The film also touches on the broader issues of Tibetan identity and the cultural genocide that has been committed against the Tibetan people by the Chinese government. This political subtext adds a layer of complexity to the film, making it more than just a personal story of a young boy and his mentor.

Overall, Becoming Who I Was is a deeply moving film that explores the themes of identity, spirituality, and cultural heritage. It is a beautifully shot and well-paced film that captures the natural beauty of the region and the complex emotions of its young protagonist. It is a film that will resonate with anyone who has ever felt that they were caught between two worlds and are trying to find their place in the world.

Becoming Who I Was is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.2 and a MetaScore of 70.