Synopsis
 Three friends, Ding Bo, Nan Feng, and Fatso finished high school but have gone against parental pressure, refusing to take university entrance exams to continue their education, resulting in disapproval and strife. The friends rent rooms in the home of the former Peking Opera singer, Chang Yueqin. Secrets about the past in Master Chang’s life are uncovered by the three friends, and are catalyst to unexpected events.
 
 Program Note
 LI Yu, the director of the first Chinese lesbian Film Fish and Elephant (2001) and the film about female sexuality and social class issues in Lost in Beijing (2007) and other films, always faces controversial censorship issues in China even though she is one of the internationally noted and talked about directors for her creativity and outstanding cinematic skills. Her new film Buddha Mountain still does not try to avoid the problems with current issues in Chinese society but approaches them in a much gentler manner. Buddha Mountain is inspired by the suicides of Sichuan earthquake survivor and young factory workers, and unemployed youth who experiences anxiety and agony. It is a spiritual journey of finding the meanings of life by different ways by different generations in current Chinese society.
 Three friends, Ding Bo who refuses to go to the college, Nan Feng who sings at a club for money and Fatso pursue freedom. They, however, experience the bitterness of reality or exhaust life in their laziness. The trio happens to rent a room at the home of former Peking opera singer, Chang Yue Qin. Master Chang has no reason to continue to live her life after losing her son in a car accident. Master Chang and the trio clash because of their different ways of living and value but they gradually understand each other and Master Chang eventually opens up enough to be consoled by them. Because the origin of grief and pain are different for different generations, Master Chang makes her own decision for liberation of her soul during a journey to reconstruct a temple that collapsed due to the earthquake. The film leaves lingering images and questions on meanings of life and happiness. A harmonious ensemble of young Chinese and Taiwanese stars, FAN Bingbing and CHEN Porin and skilled Taiwanese actress Sylvia CHANG add fresh energy and maturity to the film. (CHO Hye-young)