This is a very interesting film from 1998 on one of the 17th Karmapas, Trinley Thaye Dorje, at the beginning of his career in one of the most important positions in Tibetan Buddhism.
The Karmapa lineage is the most ancient tulku lineage in Tibetan Buddhism, predating the Dalai Lama lineage by more than two centuries, and the lineage is an important one as the Karmapa is traditionally the head of the Karma Kagyu school.
Nothing is mentioned in this film of the controversy surrounding the identification and acceptance of another monk as the Karmapa, particularly by the Dalai Lama himself, and if you only watched this film you would not such a dispute even existed.
The subject himself seems very genuine, and to be taking his duties and responsibilities seriously, to have learned well the scriptures and traditions, although he has recently (2017) married and I am unsure how that might affect his claim.
The film traces the Karmapa’s birth to a Rinpoche of renown, his recognition by Künzig Shamar Rinpoche (who traditionally is the person who announces the find), his formal taking of precepts at Bodhgaya, his attendance at an important funeral in Bhutan and other duties.
The film is presented with English narration and Chinese subtitles, and was made by the Vienna Dharma Studios.
to see a set of stills click on the date at the top of the embed below