RTÉ One will broadcast the national television premiere of the acclaimed feature documentary film ‘The Breaking Wave: The Buddhists of Beara’ on Thursday 10th July at 10.10pm.
This 85-minute feature documentary, directed by Maurice O’Brien, comes to the small screen after a celebrated international festival run followed by a nationwide theatrical release in Ireland under its original title ‘Chasing the Light’.
The film received glowing reviews and was nominated for Best Irish Feature at the Cork International Film Festival in November 2024. It received its international premier at the Thessaloniki International Film Festival and was the closing film of the 2025 Fastnet Film Festival.
Filmed with unique access over five years, ‘The Breaking Wave: The Buddhists of Beara’ is an inspiring and thought-provoking documentary about the spiritual community of Dzogchen Beara on the wild cliffs of West Cork.
Marking 50 years since the centre was established, the film tells the story of charismatic seeker Peter Cornish who escapes the chaos of the modern world by founding a spiritual haven on the cliffs of West Cork, which eventually blossomed into Dzogchen Beara.
For five decades, this former clifftop farm has transformed the lives of thousands who come here to seek comfort and support from Buddhist teachings amidst the wild Atlantic seascapes.
But, just as this devoted community embark on an arduous journey to build Ireland's first Tibetan Buddhist temple, a letter surfaces accusing their beloved spiritual leader, Sogyal Rinpoche, of serious misconduct.
As the community grapples with the shocking allegations, and the ensuing investigation, Peter is left to confront the potential unravelling of everything he dedicated his life to.
Sensitively dissecting this complicated history, the film provides a beautiful and meditative portrait of a fragile dream at the edge of the world.
Critics have praised the film’s stunning cinematography and thoughtful storytelling, with multiple four-star reviews in major outlets such as the Irish Examiner, Irish Independent and RTÉ Entertainment. The film was also selected as Hot Press magazine’s “Film of the Week” during its theatrical release.
Maurice O’Brien – the film’s writer and director – has spent over six years bringing this story to the screen. He says the journey of making ‘The Breaking Wave: The Buddhists of Beara’ was both inspiring and challenging in equal measure. O’Brien says:
“Dzogchen Beara is an extraordinary place. We wanted to honor the spirit of what Peter and his community built while not shying away from the dark chapter that tested it.
“That balancing act was by far the most challenging part of making this film but it was also the most important – and I’m thrilled that viewers all over Ireland will now get to experience this story when it airs on RTÉ.”
‘The Breaking Wave: The Buddhists of Beara’ is written and directed by Maurice O’Brien and produced by Clare Stronge. The documentary was produced by Lifeblood Films with support from Screen Ireland, Coimisiún na Meán and RTÉ.
It will be broadcast on RTÉ One on Thursday 10th July at 10.10pm and afterwards be available on the RTE Player.
Link to trailer: