Kumaré: A True Film About a False Prophet

dir. Vikram Gandhi / 2011 / USA / 84 minmin.
A documentary about a man who impersonates a wise Indian Guru and builds a following in Arizona. At the height of his popularity, the Guru Kumaré must reveal his true identity to his disciples and unveil his greatest teaching of all.

Kumaré presents himself as an enlightened guru from the East who builds a following of disciples in the West. But Kumaré is not a real guru. He is American filmmaker, Vikram Gandhi, who has transformed himself into guru Kumaré, acting as the centerpiece of a social experiment designed to explore and test one of the world's most sacred taboos. 

Concealing his true identity from all he meets, Kumaré attracts a colorful cast of followers and forges profound, spiritual connections with real people from all walks of life. At the same time, in the absurdity of living as an entirely different person, Vikram the filmmaker is forced to confront difficult questions about his own identity. 

At the height of his popularity he reveals his greatest teaching: his true self. A playful yet genuine and insightful look at belief and spirituality, the film crosses a line few have dared to cross, all to discover: from illusion comes truth. 

“If you think you think, if you feel you feel, if you believe you believe, then you must see Kumaré.” – Larry Charles, Director of Borat and Religulous

 

duration:
84 min min
country / year of production:
USA / 2011
director:
Vikram Gandhi
cinematography:
Kahlil Hudson
producer:
Bryan Carmel, Brendan Colthurst
selected festivals and awards:
2011 - SXSW FF, Audience Award for Best Documentary, 2011 - Napa Valley FF, Award for Best Documentary Feature, 2011 - Dallas Video Fest, Award for Best Documentary Feature
sections:
20 LEGENDARY FILMS FOR MDAG'S 20TH ANNIVERSARY!
tags:
feel good movie religions psychology travels relations

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