An SXSW 2017 Film Festival Official Selection, Walk with Me, tells the story of the most Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh and life at Plum Village, in a major new release later in 2017. Judging by the professional trailer, this should be a popular film with Buddhists around the world.

View the trailer:

Produced by West End Films, and filmed over three years on location at Plum Village in France, and other locations, Walk with me, the movie, promises to give glimpses into life with teacher Thich Nhat Hanh, one of the most respected spiritual leaders in the world today. Once nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, Thay, as he is affectionally called by his followers and friends, is famous for clarity of thought. The Zen monk’s many books are popular in the west, among the best teachings in Mindfulness and spirituality. His descriptions and lessons in Emptiness and Oneness are widely quoted — considered among the best illustrations of the difficult concept.

The movie appears to also follow the lives of monks and nuns in Plum Village, with rare glimpses into teaching sessions and meditation sessions.

Transcript of Trailer

Narrator: I knew early on that finding truth is not the same as finding happiness. You aspire to see the truth, but once you have see it you cannot avoid [suffering], otherwise you have seen nothing at all.

Text: Zen Buddhist Master Thich Nhat Hanh

Thich Nhat Hanh: There is a song we like to sing. “I have arrived. I am home.”

Text: Nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize

Thich Nhat Hanh: Mindfulness is to always arrive in the here and the now.You have been running a lot, but you have not arrived.

Text: Followed by millions

A monk: We have taken a vow to not have any personal possessions. So, we don’t have money. We don’t have personal possessions. We don’t have a bank account.

Another voice: We are all raised in chaos…

Text: “One of the most influential spiritual leaders of our times.” — Oprah Winfrey

Thich Nhat Hanh: So, the practice of mindfulness helps us to live our lives deeply. That way, we will not waste our life.

Text: “A moving and wonderful film — a great work full of love.” — Alejandro G. Inarritu

Voice: Is your life controlled by someone else?

Monk: You know Yoda in Star Wars? (Cuts to image of Thich Nhat Hanh contemplating, smiling.) A little bit like that.

Child’s voice: I have a doggie. The doggie died… I feel so sad. (We see the child standing by Thich Nhat Hanh, who answers her…)

Thich Nhat Hanh: You look into the sky and you see a beautiful cloud. The cloud has become the rain. And when you drink your tea, you can see your cloud in your tea.

(The girl smiles, understanding the metaphor of Oneness.)

Text: “Mindfulness has gone mainstream.” — New York Time

Thich Nhat Hanh: The past is no longer there. The future is not yet there. There’s only the present moment.

Text: Narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch

Narrator: The mountains and rivers, earth and sun, all lie within the heart of consciousness.

Text: From the makers of Black Gold

Narrator: All that will remain is the deeply rooted peace.

Text: Find out more: Walkwithmefilm.com