Wheel of Time (2003)

Nothing to do with author Robert Jordan's works, Dir. Herzog's documentary is a personal look at Tibetan Buddhism. Thanks to the internet and an inquisitive mind I'd a vague knowledge of the principles but not the practices associated with the belief system, and had no idea of the lengths some followers go to in service of their faith. In that respect, it was enlightening viewing (no pun intended). But overall its fly-on-the-wall nature meant it left more questions hanging than it answered; I don't know if that was intentional or not.
I came away with an immense respect for the dedication of the monks to the mandala, but very perturbed why the beautiful observation accompanying the release of birds wasn't extended to the monkey in servitude.

3½ pilgrim prostrations out of 5