Zen (2009): cast, story & where to watch
2009 · Film · ★ 6.8
Released in 2009, Zen is a drama and history film directed by Banmei Takahashi, running about 127 minutes.
What it’s about. In the early 1200s, Dogen brought Chinese Zen philosophy to Japan, and established the Japanese Zen school of Buddhism. He taught that a person was capable of realizing Buddhahood within himself, by way of Zazen. Zazen is extended hours of sitting and meditating to achieve a state of “Mu” (nothingness, or empty existence).
Who’s in it. Zen stars Kantarô Nakamura as Dogen, Yuki Uchida as Orin, Ryushin Tei as Ji-uen / Kugyo Minamoto and Kengo Kora, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.8/10, Zen has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response. It went on to earn $2.9M at the box office.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Zen page.
If you liked it. Fans of Zen tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Zen (2009)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for Zen change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is Zen worth watching?
- Zen holds an audience score of 6.8 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama and history. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Zen?
- Zen stars Kantarô Nakamura, Yuki Uchida, Ryushin Tei, Kengo Kora and Tatsuya Fujiwara.
- When was Zen released?
- Zen was released in 2009, with a runtime of about 127 minutes.