Je Leven Waarderen - Jurgen Gude

Film by Jurgen Gude, Jaap Verhoeven
Produced by Jaap Verhoeven
Cinematographer: Jurgen Gude
Sound: Jaap Verhoeven
Editing:
Copyright: 2008, BOS productions
60 minutes, Color

Taizan Maezumi Roshi

Je Leven Waarderen (Appreciating ones Live) is a documentary in memory of the Japanese Zen teacher Taizan Maezumi Roshi (1931-1995). He came to the States not so much as a teacher, but in support of the Japanese society living over there. He was soon to be discovered by the 'beatnik' youth and ended up dedicating his live to spreading the Zen teachings in The West.

Jurgen Gude shows scenes from his live and interviews various of his followers. This way the viewer gets an inside look on the White Plum Asangha and its teachings. But most of all it tries to lift up the veil on Maezumi's personal live, his habit of heavy drinking, him being away from home most of the times, et cetera. Not to place the spotlight on the 'darker' side of his live, but to show that in fact, he is human. This may sound corny on paper, on film it is quite convincing.

The documentary ends with Maezumi's daughter sitting quite comfortably underneath a tree, smiling gently and singing a sweet lullaby, an ode to love.