Kumaré

The highly provocative film Kumare had its world premiere this week at Austin's SXSW Film Festival. The film was very well-received and created a lot of buzz, because of how it was made. Everyone was saying you must see Kumare and not surprisingly it won the Audience Award for Best Documentary.

Kumare is fascinating, because it is somewhere between a documentary and a reality TV show. In the film Director Vikram Gandhi moves to Phoenix, AZ where he pretends to be a wise Indian guru and begins to recruit followers to his yoga sessions. He develops a group of followers and keeps the game going for months. Even though he is making it up, he finds that there are many people desperation for spiritual guidance that are easily convinced and willing to follow him. The film raises lots of questions about spirituality, human gullibility, and the role of spiritual leaders. He certainly shows how easy it is for those with ill intentions to build a cult-like following. The film crew took no money and Kumare attempted to teach a message of self-empowerment to his followers since he always intended to reveal himself to them. The content of the documentary was entertaining, provocative, and humorous. From an artistic point-of-view, the young documentary filmmakers should be commended for raising important questions about human nature and religion.

However, many in the audience seem deeply troubled by their methods of impersonating a guru and lying to people about whom they were and what their intentions. At times, the humor of the film was based on mocking the followers for how easily they were deceived by bogus chants and practices. It was also clear that many people told Kumare intimate details of their lives. While it seems that many of the participants benefited from his teachings of self-empowerment, some were clearly very angry at how they were deceived. While they didn't take money, they were using to advance their careers. There is something deeply exploitative in the way that they were deceived. Kumare raises a lot of interesting ethical questions that should be explored by those who are making documentary films. To put it simply, were the dishonest means that they used to achieve a worthwhile and interesting end appropriate?

Kumaré eludes simple definitions. It lies somewhere between a documentary and reality TV. Director Vikram Gandhi is fed up with all the trendy gurus who he has found out to be exactly like any of us. He sets out to create a fake identity for himself as Sri Kumaré, a mystical holy man from India complete with the hilarious exaggerated Indian accent, big beard, long hair and all the other outward signs of a spiritual leader. He quickly finds loyal followers who are all too willing to embrace his status without really questioning anything. However, he himself makes some surprising discoveries and changes during this journey that at times seems very close to getting out of hand.

I really like the handling of this very delicate subject matter. People confide in Kumaré blindly and many openly talk about their issues and private problems. Some of the stories are truly touching and heartbreaking. Still, you don't get the sense people are exploited. They come across as dangerously gullible but at the same time sincere and vulnerable. There are also hilarious moments when people do totally absurd things without realizing the ridiculousness of the situation.

Kumaré makes you think and challenges easy answers. Yes, some of the people clearly are not rational at all, and yes, it's obvious all the "forces" and "powers" that people feel come from within themselves. But isn't that true for all religions? How is this fake guru different than any other guru - or any religious figure, for that matter? It makes it visible how painfully we crave for understanding and meaning in our lives. To feel we are worth something.

The ending is brilliant and unexpectedly intense. It made me feel confused, awkward, compassionate - and other feelings for which I have no name to put on. Highly recommended film for everyone.

So much irony in some of these comments here. Much to the contrary of what Kumare preaches, we seem to be quick at judging (more like guessing) others and their intentions, but never quite have the time to look into ourselves.

Yes what he did wasn't the nicest thing and the initial goal he had in mind certainly wasn't to help anyone find himself. What I see is a somewhat brilliant young man looking for himself and searching for answers after being disappointed with all the fake gurus and superstition.

He gradually finds out that Kumare is in fact his ideal self and that he is slowly becoming the real Kumare. He finds a deep connection with people as Kumare that Vikram has never experienced. He finds himself and sees the importance of helping others find themselves too.

I didn't watch the movie with the intention to judge him. I watched it hoping to learn something from it, and I did. Watch it with an open mind, and it will touch your heart.

"Kumare" is a documentary starring filmmaker Vikram Gandhi. He sets out into Arizona pretending to be a Guru from India named Kumare. He begins his journey by growing his hair and beard, adopting a fake Indian accent, and going out with this fake persona. Along the way he meets many people that all believe in him and his "powerful ways". He even collects fifteen devoted followers that continue in his teachings even after he has left them. Kumare's main teaching is that followers do not need a Guru, because the truth and whatever else they are searching for comes from within.

At first sight this might sound rather funny. It sounds very similar to "Borat" or "Bruno" or whatever Sasha Baron Cohen alter ego. But it isn't. Not at all. Baron Cohen is mean spirited and goes out to make fun the people he meets. When you see him in interviews he doesn't realize the consequences of his actions. The people that he offended. Vikram as Kumare is the polar opposite. While you're watching you see how connected he is with these people. How he really does believe in what he is teaching. He believes in them and he just wants them to have faith in themselves.

The point of the documentary was to show that anyone can be a Guru (of sorts). When people are lost and confused they seek out understanding and direction. This is why they'll turn to a man, a false prophet, a fabricated Guru. Kumare listened to their problems and assured them that they had all the tools to fix their problems. He told them that they didn't need him. They just needed to seek that light within themselves, get hold of it, and use it.

I'm a firm believer in Christ and still I found Vikram's teachings profound and real. People will believe in anyone who appreciates them. Someone who can listen to their problems and love them the same. It was painful to see these people fall deeper in love with Kumare. Then in the end he has to tell everyone the truth of who he really is...I was just as deep in the lie and thus shared his fear and anxiety. If anything else this shows great storytelling.

The big picture, this is a spectacular documentary. It's evenly paced, shot well, with an intriguing plot. It's not gritty, pretentious, or sardonic. It doesn't pretend to be anything that it is not. (I did not mean for that to be nearly as ironic as it sounded). Some might be offended and hate this film, but to that I'd say they are looking to closely at the small picture and should broaden their horizons to see the real world application. Isn't that what a great documentary does? Puts life in perspective by showing the heart and flaws of humanity. Kumare may not be real, but "Kumare" is a true expose of faith, love, and humanity.

It's all about what you take from this movie that matters and makes all the difference.