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Poster for Monte Grande: What is Life?

Monte Grande: What is Life?

Seen it?

2005 | 80 min | Documentary

Monday Morning Maybeearly rating

Why it’s a Monday Morning Maybe

With a box office flop and almost no lasting buzz, this one could be a tough watch. Keep your phone handy.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for the curious.
The mood
Eye-opening.
The pace
Moves along nicely, at 1 hr 20 min.
What might put you off
It's in German, so expect subtitles (or a dub).

Documentary account of a man’s life in the face of imminent death – Francisco Varela's story told affectionately and gently, touchingly and astutely. Varela spent his life building bridges: between Western science and Eastern wisdom, neurobiology and philosophy, abstract theory and practical life. This film seeks to deconstructs the prevailing division between science and art.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsNot counted

    Not enough reviews on record yet

  • AudiencesNot counted

    Not measured yet: not enough ratings

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Reach & staying powerWeak

    Streaming release that reached a small audience so far

  • Buzz & cultural impactWeak

    Not enough engagement data yet

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Cast & crew

Directed by Franz Reichle

  • Heinz von FoersterSelf
  • Tenzin GyatsoSelf
  • Amy Cohen VarelaSelf
  • Humberto MaturanaSelf
  • Leonor VarelaSelf
  • Francisco VarelaSelf
  • Leonor PalmaSelf