Chasing the Light - Cork International Film Festival

Dzogchen Beara is Ireland’s best-known spiritual retreat centre, built on a remote clifftop. For its Buddhist community, drawn from all over the world, it quickly becomes clear that the road to enlightenment contains many challenges. They will have to pull together, or fall apart. Initially established in 1974 as a hippie retreat by Peter & Harriet Cornish, this West Cork refuge would go on to become a respected centre of Tibetan Buddhist practice in the West, before abuse allegations against their spiritual teacher brought notoriety upon the formerly peaceful haven. Chasing the Light powerfully dissects this complicated history with dignity and sensitivity, providing a meditative and measured account of Dzogchen Beara and its legacy.

Filmmaker in attendance.

In competition for the CIFF Best New Irish Feature Award, proudly supported by the Irish Examiner.