Cinema Noesis | New films for evolving minds

FILMS FOR EVOLVING MINDS

Spring/Summer 2021

“There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature ― the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after the winter.” ―Rachel Carson

Greetings cinephiles!

With the arrival of Spring and more widespread vaccinations, spirits are beginning to lift, though the many impacts from the last 16 months continue to be felt, and times remain challenging and uncertain. This extraordinary period has certainly been hard on the film industry, with numerous theater closings and delayed releases. A good summation of what happened ― and what to expect going forward ― can be read in this Atlantic article: “Your Moviegoing Experience Is About to Change.” For now, the emphasis on streaming still rules, as you will see from the film fests profiled below.

I’m always on the lookout for provocative new releases, so feel free to share them at cinemanoesis@gmail.com.

Be careful out there. See you in the Fall …
Cinematically yours,
Matthew Gilbert/Founder-Curator

Virtual Film Fests

Although in-person movie-going is taking some cautious steps forward, virtual viewing is still the path of least resistance, and three Spring festivals have set up streaming options for their upcoming events:

ILLUMINATE

After a two-year hiatus, Illuminate returns May 20 ― 26 with a hybrid format of online and onsite events featuring another distinctive line-up of inspirational and consciousness-expanding documentaries, narrative features, and shorts, many of them world and North American premiers. Both full-program passes and individual film tickets are available. Among the selections:

Aware: Glimpses of Consciousness: Follow six renowned researchers who are exploring the deepest mysteries of what makes us human ― and more ― with the tools of brain science, meditation, psychoactives, and plant medicine. (2020)

Playing for Keeps: Hard science (and body wisdom) tells us that play is neither silly nor impractical. In fact, wanting enjoyable experiences for their own sake is hardwired into our brains ― and especially important when the world around us feels increasingly more chaotic. (2020)

Samadhi Road: In seeking to answer such questions as “What is the purpose of existence?” and “How can I overcome my fear of dying?”, two brothers journey across continents to learn from masters and elders who share their glimpses of spiritual awakening. (2021, in Portuguese and English)

DocLands

Produced by the California Film Institute and taking place May 7 ― 16, DocLands has a long history of presenting quality documentaries from around the world, and in our current, pandemic-challenged time, it does not disappoint with a slate of nearly 40 feature films and shorts. Both full-festival and individual film passes are available. Among the selections:

The New Corporation: From the directors of the 2003 award-winning film The Corporation comes the sequel, and it’s just as eye-opening (and enraging) as the original as it pulls back the curtain from the empty rhetoric of companies rebranding themselves as socially responsible. (2020)

End of the Line: The Women of Standing Rock: This film celebrates the courageous spirit of the indigenous women who stood up to Big Oil in a fight to protect their sacred ancestral lands both during and after the protests of 2016. (2021)

The Magnitude of All Things: This poignant and cinematic journey intertwines the personal with the global as people around the world grieve the realities of climate change while still embracing their humanity. (2020)

Shift Your World

This inaugural online-only fest from The Shift Network takes place May 6 ― 9 and features nine full-length films ― a mix of new and recently released ― along with panels and shorts. The films are free, but you will need to purchase an upgrade for the exctracurriculars. Among the selections:

Love Thy Nature: Narrated by Liam Neeson, Love Thy Nature takes viewers on a cinematic journey through the beauty and intimacy of the natural world, showing that a renewed connection with nature is key to our personal health and the health of our planet. (2016)

The Portal: Against an aspirational backdrop of human and evolutionary potential, The Portal follows six people (and a robot!) who transform their lives using mindfulness. (2019)

The Twelve: This film gives voice to the wisdom traditions of 12 elders from around the world who share long-forgotten knowledge of humanity’s eternal and complex connection with nature. (2020)

Salon with a Purpose

The latest film-sharing and community-building event from Stone Soup Ripple revolves around the theme of “Taking a Stand.” This eclectic four-part series begins on May 4 and will feature The Seeds of Vandana Shiva, Period. End of Sentence, and Ted Turner: Captain Planet. Participants come together before each film and afterwards to join the filmmakers and host Christine Leuthold for a discussion.

New on Streaming

Hulu

In and of Itself: This startlingly unconventional film, combining theater, magic, and monologue, explores the idea of identity as illusionist Derek DelGaudio attempts to answer one deceptively simple question: “Who am I?”

Netflix

Headspace: With a light touch but grounded in science, this cleverly animated new series from Netflix has launched with two programs: “Guide to Meditation” and “Guide to Sleep.” Each one consists of seven-to-eight approximately 20-minute episodes that explore various aspects of meditation (getting started, letting go, dealing with pain or emotions, techniques) and sleep (dreams, stress, insomnia, relaxation tools).

Surviving Death: Focused in part on the work being done at the University of Virginia’s Division of Perceptual Studies, near-death experiences (NDEs), visitations, mediums, and reincarnation are all considered over six approximately 50-minute episodes as signs that there is more to death than . . . death.