14 Apples - SHISI KE PING GUO

Pitch

Shin-hong, a young Burmese entrepreneur, suffers from insomnia. One day, his mother visits a fortune teller, hoping he can help her son overcome his troubles. He advises the young man to buy fourteen apples and travel to a monastery located in the countryside in the center of the country. Shin-hong is instructed to live like a monk for fourteen days, eating one apple a day.
Becoming a monk is a quick way to escape poverty while also serving as a mentor, sharing wisdom and advice with the local community. With such influence and control over the population, monks are seen as pillars of Burmese society.Midi Z highlights the limitations of Buddhism, which fails to address society's deeper issues, illustrating the gap between ideals and reality. This is evident in scenes where monks complain about the meager alms they receive, and one even admits to spending the money on lottery tickets. However, the filmmaker refrains from passing judgment; instead, he observes in silence, believing that observation leads to understanding.