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experiences generated by both worlds. The cinematic techniques used to obtain this result
centre on the colour scheme, the acting style, and the dialogue. From the beginning of the
film, viewers are presented with a strong chromatic contrast that places the warm oranges and
reds of the monastery, built from natural materials and meant as a shelter from the outer
environment, in contraposition with the elegant yet cold metallic blues and greys of Seattle's
modem skyline and the Conrads' stylish house. The latter is built with refined materials and
resembles a human aquarium overlooking the seascape through its glass walls. Although
differing in style, the dwellings both represent a state of wellbeing, but the tones and colours
associated with the Western world betray concerns which are also mirrored in the behaviour
of Jesse's parents, who despite their apparent affective security and affluence look jaded and
sombre.
Lisa and Dean's disenchanted perspective characterizes the pragmatic gaze with
which Western society views existence. Through their gaze the Tibetan monks' joyful
tranquillity is perceived as amusing and even slightly suspicious for a modem society where
people are constantly on guard. By contrast, the monks' spontaneity in appreciating Western
progress without being in awe of it, elicits doubts concerning the West's confidence about its
cultural supremacy. Evidence of this is contained in the sequence depicting the different
approaches to astronomy shown by Lisa and the monk Sogyal. Although they both live in
Seattle and teach maths, they conceive their subject differently: Sogyal links astronomy with
human lives, his discipline generating endless amazement for him in terms of humanity
somehow being influenced by the stars' infinite and timeless presence. By contrast Lisa
simply replicates the Western concept of science as a means of expanding human knowledge
to control world phenomena. The contrast between her condescending politeness and
Sogyal's enthusiasm elicits the doubt that the price paid by Western society for modern
thinking, which has brought abundant material comforts, has been the loss of more intimate
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