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Year: 2018
Runtime: 102 min
Language: Chinese
In this poignant drama, "The Great Buddha", two unlikely friends, Pickle and Belly Bottom, find solace in a mundane routine of nighttime guard duty and late-night indulgences. But when their TV breaks, they're forced to confront the emptiness of their lives, leading to a transformative journey that will forever alter their perspectives on existence.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen The Great Buddha+ yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!
Kevin, also known as Huang-Qiwen, is a prominent artist and philanthropist who owns a factory producing exquisite Buddha statues in the serene countryside of Taiwan. Despite his fame, Kevin’s life is riddled with wantonness as he engages in corrupt practices, bribing numerous officials to secure lucrative contracts. The factory is currently focused on completing a magnificent Buddha statue for a significant upcoming ceremony. The statue is nearly finished, with only the head and body awaiting soldering.
Working alongside him is Pickle, portrayed by Cres Chuang, a diligent security guard at the factory, and his sole companion, Belly Button, played by Bamboo Chu-Sheng Chen, who struggles to make ends meet scavenging for scraps. One fateful day, curiosity leads Belly Button to sneak into Pickle’s security room, where they both the chance to glimpse the lavish life of rich people through Kevin’s recordings. However, they are unprepared for the shocking discovery they make: Kevin has brutally killed his mistress and concealed her body within the Buddha statue.
As the investigation begins, Kevin becomes a prime suspect and is summoned to the police department. Unfortunately for justice, Kevin uses his influence to bribe the local prosecutor, who swiftly halts the inquiry, allowing Kevin to remain at large. With the dark knowledge weighing heavily on them, Belly Button and Pickle live in constant fear, acutely aware that their lives could be in jeopardy. Kevin, astutely observing the pair’s growing anxiety, decides to take drastic measures to safeguard his reputation.
Tragically, Belly Button is soon found dead in a supposed drunk driving accident, though those who knew him were aware he was not a drinker. The climax unfolds during the ceremony, where the Buddha statue, now complete, is prominently displayed before a vast audience of monks and devotees. Alienating applause fills the air until an unsettling knocking emanates from within the statue, leaving everyone in a state of stunned silence and anticipation…
Last Updated: November 15, 2024 at 20:31
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