Darshan - L'étreinte

I am so very upset about this. I have been an Amma devotee for years now and I have to wait months to see this film and even then I have to travel over 150 miles to get there!!! I have checked several websites and it looks like it is only playing in a scattering of theaters across the country and, interestingly, over a period of a few months. Like there is only one copy of the film or something. Whats up with that? Also, I am wondering if I will be able to get a version of this for my home. I wonder if they are going to release it on DVD. I have a few other films on Amma but they aren't big productions. I have high hopes for this one. I can only keep my fingers crossed and wait and wait and wait until September when I will finally get to view the film.

This visually spectacular but shallow documentation of revered saint Amritananda Mayi, or Amma as she is known to millions in her native India, will probably end up as an important piece of film for her devotees, but really does not cater to those who are not already steeped in her spiritual beliefs. Detailing a brief, rare glimpse into the "hugging saint's" travels across the country, interviews and explanations take a back seat to being in the moment as Amma leads packed temples through prayer. While the strict observational tone works wonders for the atmosphere of the film and does compliment the inherent non-physical tone, the makers of this film sacrifice much with their mere visual representation. People who have not been immersed into the Amma lore, nor have a budding passion for enlightenment will only be able to take in this work as a glorified, alternative concert video of sorts, as we are basically led through a tour of temples the smiling one passes by to pray and hug with the tens of thousands of people who daily seek her unique embrace. These devotees will literally wait twenty hours to simply be hugged by this woman for a few seconds, seemingly receiving an elevated form of love, compassion, and acceptance that cannot be found in everyday life. It is this essence of embracing that is at the heart of the visual powerhouse that is this documentary. While touching and profound, the true hero of this film is undoubtedly Jan Kounen's incredible direction. What could have been a tiny niche film that does not even explore the intellectual ramifications of it's subject becomes instead one of the most visually splendid and immersed exports to come from India that I have ever seen. Making up for some of the repetitious ceremonial footage, Kounen's alternating city footage is both intimate and far reaching, giving viewers the beautifully dirty access to one of the worlds largest populations that has become glazed over in most Bollywood fare. The final result, though nothing of a conversion for the uninitiated, is still an appropriate tribute to one of the worlds most exalted spiritual leaders, and even more importantly a tribute to one of the worlds most exotic countries.

As a disciple of Ammachi, I will begin by mentioning that this film does not contain a lot of information about Amma that would be helpful to someone who had no idea who she was prior to seeing this film. It could have done with a little more information about her countless charitable works (including schools, hospitals, homes for the poor and the list goes on and on) and perhaps a bit more biographical information and mention of the countless miracles and healings that have been attributed to her. Also, a little more explanation of what "darshan" actually is would have been helpful to those for whom this movie would be their first introduction to Amma.

Aside from this, I have found that Jan Kounen did an incredible job with capturing the essence of who Amma really is. The interesting camera angles and close-ups of Amma's facial expressions, truly captured the divine presence that one can feel while in her physical presence. I also really enjoyed that there was quite a bit of filming of Amma done in slow- motion. It was particularly incredible to witness her darshans at a slowed down speed...the nuances and intricacies of each 5 second hug, speak volumes when rendered in slow- motion.

There is quite a bit of poetic metaphor throughout the film as well, as can be seen in Kounen's choice of contrasting images of life, death, chaos, peace, human and God. Truly, the visuals are some of the most beautiful I have seen since Baraka.

All in all this film is a heart melting work of art for devotees of Amma, and a sweeping visual portrait-poem of one of the most amazing spiritual figures on the planet at this time. I don't think any film could truly convey who Amma is. It is something that must be experienced to be understood.

That said, stop in and get darshan for yourself the next time Amma is in your city. Then, watch the film again :)

I loved watching this film; it gives you the sense that even among the poorest most squalid conditions we can find love. My heart soared watching love beam from Amma's face as she embraced thousands. The Christians say that heaven will be an eternity basking in God's love and I dismissed that idea until I saw this holy woman. I loved the scene where a man is on top of an elephant submerged in a river and he gently prods the roaring beast to the shore. "We have to fight our devils, greed arrogance and selfishness." This film transcends the description "movie." It's more of a "concentrated prayer." Prayer doesn't have a plot, but it peels away the resistance of the mind to the divine, like this film does. I saw the critics call it fawning, unenlightening, one sided, but prayer IS one sided, the side is love. If you're praying you don't think of negative things, you just bask.

This film is one of the most inspiring films in my life. Excellent pictures, excellent sound and the main figure is simply mind-blowing ;-). She has the biggest charitable network a single woman ever created and her untiring efforts to uplift the poor, sick and suffering is recognized throughout the whole world.

The director gives an impression of Amma's turbulent life - in her spiritual center in Kerala, on her tour through North India and during the celebration of her 50th birthday. She counsels, organizes and hugs almost 24 hours per day, hardly getting any food, drink or sleep. Her charities are so efficiently reaching out to the poorest of society that even the President of India donated his income of ten months to Ammas organization. Unfortunately the charitable network is hardly mentioned in the film. Ammas world-tour are missing as well. But this is outweighed by wonderful pictures of India and deep insights into the Indian culture and lifestyle.