CHALLENGER DEFENDER, is about the Tibetan monastic debates which are an ancient practice performed by Buddhist monks. By using critical thinking skills, applying logic and reason to interpret complex topics learned through memorization from their scriptures, monks derive at their own hypotheses. Floodlights are hung from the monastery rootops at night and cast shadows from the monks as they engage in these impassioned debates Visually, I felt as though the debates had been staged, choreographed and lit specifically for me, but in fact, they are not staged or rehearsed at all.
