Directed by Sebastian Siegel
The current trend in documentary filmmaking of interviewing luminaries in the “conscious living” field for their opinion or expertise on one thing or another has become a bit tired. However, in Awakening World, director/writer Sebastian Siegel drew from a much more diverse group, most of whom would not be considered expert on the subject, and this may be the key to the success of his award-winning film.
The concept is simple: Siegel asked people a series of provocative questions about life and filmed their answers. There weren’t too many surprises in the first two sections: What is love? What is the purpose of life? Although it would have been interesting to include a less likely candidate—perhaps a prison inmate or migrant worker—as part of the mix.
But when it really got interesting was in the answers to What is hell?
When people ask how we are, we usually answer “Fine,” or even, “Excellent.” And while some may be relieved not to hear about a cancer diagnosis, loss of a job or death of a loved one, the standard answers actually maintain our illusion of separation. It feels so much more authentic when someone replies, for example, “I’ve just been diagnosed with breast cancer and I’m having a hard time.”
In the film we get to hear such a range of answers to this question: Hell is… if you couldn’t touch something without it burning you, not feeling that you’re moving forward with your dreams, war and genocide, religion, missed opportunities… there are many more and just watching this film takes you out of your own private hell, whatever that may be.
Likewise there are some beautiful and unexpected answers to What’s heaven?
I could have used a refresher on people’s names on subsequent questions, and I found the soundtrack to be a bit intrusive at times, distracting from the provocative faces and words being presented. But viewers will enjoy the insights here, and these are excellent questions to ask yourself as well. There’s no time like the present to awaken.
—Abigail Lewis
❋❋ If you liked this story you might also want to read . . . ❋❋
2 Comments
My Wife and I have seen Awakening World three times and we love it just as much each time (we own a copy).
It’s insightful, provocative, raw, thoroughly entertaining and a truly inspiring conversation piece that will leave you asking yourself (or those you are with) the questions posed in the movie.
I highly recommend it…
Awakening World is a truly inspiring film and it is a gift that needs to be shared with friends and family.
It’s banquet for the soul!!