Spiritual Warriors

Independent filmmakers are eternal optimists. They start with an idea, develop a plot, create a script, beg, borrow or bury themselves in debt to translate words into images, sweat through casting, assembling a crew, shooting schedules and editing the raw material into a finished product.   Once their personal vision is completed, the independent filmmakers beg some more, knock on doors and try to find a distributor that shares their dream or at least, is willing to gamble on the financial success of their creation.   In the end, reality slaps the filmmaker in the chin. Most independent projects are hampered by amateur script writers, mediocre acting, inexperienced directing and poor camera work. Great visions become predictable mediocrities.   Yet, every so often, the charcoal does become the diamond, glittering, beautiful, the images on screen telling a worthwhile story that makes the viewer think that this particular filmmaker has managed to bare his soul and reach his audience.   "Spiritual Warriors" is such a film, a low budget diamond with a high carat profile. The plot tells the story of Finn, a street wise, unknown actor who makes a living delivering cocaine for a drug dealer until he bumps into a strange, mystical character –Roger- who has the appearance of a refugee from the original Woodstock, a Santa Claus type beachcomber who seems to be functioning at a metaphysical level in a realm between quaint charm and perplexing intrusion as he chats away in a variety of accents that includes British, Pakistani and regular English with John Wayne imitations.   So begins a journey that takes mentor and student from every day reality to faraway lands of pyramids and special effect visions that range from Freemason symbolism to past lives of ancient reincarnations. There is a dose of Atlantis thrown in and an epic final struggle between the shallow actor transformed into a hero and an evil entity representing the dark forces that dwell around us and within us.   "Spiritual Warriors" is not moronic, spoon fed entertainment, but a film that makes the viewer think. As Finn talks to a psychiatrist, one wonders if the actor is living a real epic quest or whether the demons, reincarnations and events are a figment of delusional schizophrenia enhanced by too many powdered toots from the bags he has delivered for the tough looking mobster.   Yet, it matters not what the reality of Finn's real world is, for this is a movie about awareness of self, about grasping one's inner identity, identifying the core of the individual soul that makes each of us unique. It is not precisely a religious movie, for it dwells into several levels of religious consciousness, from the Hindu reincarnation to Christian symbolisms, perhaps seeking to identify the concept of God as a totality of the whole, rather than labeling it into a single definition.   The movie –still seeking one of those elusive bean counters known as distributors- works because it is the end product of seasoned professionals who have years of experience in the film industry.   Jsu Garcia who plays Finn with likable panache is also the co-author of the script and co- producer of the film. Garcia is a veteran actor with over fifty film credits. He was Captain Nadal in the Mel Gibson film "We Were Soldiers," Roman in "Collateral Damage," Pablo Obregon in "Traffic," Javier in "Along Came Polly" and gained praised for his portrayal of guerrilla leader Che Guevara in Andy Garcia's "Lost City."  He has honed his craft working with some of the top directors in the trade, including Francis Ford Coppola.   Garcia is the production and co-scriptwriting partner of John-Roger, an author, philosopher and founder of the Movement of Spiritual Awareness, an organization created in 1968, in which the actor has been involved for over two decades. "Spiritual Warriors" is their first feature film collaboration.   The part of Roger -Finn's mentor- is portrayed by Roger Easton, one of the top voice coaches in the movie industry, a solid performer with over one hundred film credits in his resume in a career stretching six decades. His spiritual guru is a likable, fascinating character.   The film, loaded with very good special effects in spite of its modest –less than a million dollar- budget was shot in high definition by Evan Nesbitt, a craftsman, with impressive location scenes shot in Jordan, Syria and Egypt.   If the movie has a minor flaw –as all films do- is the occasional, unnecessary use of a narrator to read a thought flashed on screen as well as one or two scenes that could be edited shorter, although the editing is first rate and the transition between scenes is very well executed.     Other members of the cast include veteran actors Christopher Atkins, Leigh Taylor-Young, Shyla Cruize and acting coach Howard Fine playing himself.   ========================================================= ==. Enrique Encinosa, an on air personality for Univision Radio in Miami, is the author of six books and four documentary scripts. ========================================================= =.

Very few movies have the ability to move you in a deep way. This is one of those movies. Its not another Hollywood throw away movie, this one is unique and you never know where its taking you next. Its a movie you'll think about long after you've left the theater. Its full of a lot of hidden meanings and symbolism that touches into deep mysteries. Filmed on location in Egypt,Syria,Jordan and many ancient sites, the present and the past are woven into a story line that has more then one meaning. Past lifetimes that are impacting the present also get woven into the storyline. Its the type of movie that is even better on the second or third showing, as you "catch" more of the hidden meanings. If you're like me and you're tired of the same old movies and story lines of most movies today, then you might find this a refreshing change. If you go, do yourself a favor and see it more then once.

This movie hit on a truth that rang so deep in me there aren't really words to do it justice. It was really my favorite kind of movie. It was entertaining, had a great story, and was pretty fast paced. In addition I left the theater feeling uplifted, joyful and deeply moved thru having the experience of viewing this movie. I loved it. I'd give it 10 out of 10 and gladly see it again. I had actually recently seen the movie based on Dan Millman's book "Way of the Peaceful Warrior" and loved that film. I went into Spiritual Warriors thinking there wasn't much chance it would be as good as "Way of the Peaceful Warrior". However, I left the movie in complete awe of how it kind of started at the point where "Peaceful Warrior" left off and just took it way beyond. Great movie all the way around. (Both are actually)

This movie depicts a true to Life experience of Soul Transcendence. If you are seeking a spiritual path that considers your highest good at this time in your evolution as a soul, this movie is for you. The spiritual teacher in this movie speaks from the heart. The teachings are universal and available to anyone looking for them. The movie portrays the inner life accurately from my experience, and gives us a glimpse of the infinite love, guidance, wisdom, and compassion of Spirit. Through this movie, we have the opportunity to look at our own inner life and approach the world and ourselves with acceptance, unconditional loving, cooperation with what is, and understanding. It's a must-see.

This movie was thought-provoking. It was different. It was powerful. It's refreshing to see a different take on archetypal images. It's one of those movies I thought about for days later. Some of the special effects had an effect--on me. Thought-provoking images. Some were expansive. Some were just wow--in subtle ways. One image toward the end of the movie (I won't give it away) was worth the whole film. I liked the practical, subtle humor of the Roger character, little subtle things that made me chuckle (and make me think) about funny human behaviors, and that balanced out the other dramas taking place in the story. Some of the flash-back scenes were powerful to watch and got me thinking. I loved the way the Roger character was portrayed, his gentleness, peacefulness--and his down to earth humor! I liked the way some spiritual truths, posed loosely in the film, was developed in a "real" story with "real" people working it--or attempting to work it out. One pretty basic psychological truth most people have probably heard before jumped out to me. I saw something differently. In the end, I'd have to say my favorite scenes were some of the special effect images and the down-to-earth Roger character!