New Film Releases Index | Spirituality & Practice

10 Questions for the Dalai Lama Directed by Rick Ray A fascinating portrait of the 14th Dalai Lama and an interview with him. Peace

Milarepa: Magician, Murderer, Saint Directed by Neten Chokling A parabolic film about the early life of the Tibetan Buddhist saint Milarepa that works as a teaching story about the futility and emptiness of violence and revenge. Transformation

The Monastery: Mr. Vig & The Nun Directed by Pernille Rose Gronkjaer A psychologically rich documentary about generosity and the difficulty we all have in letting go of rigid habits. Kindness

What Would Jesus Buy? Directed by Rob VanAlkemade A modern-day teacher of crazy wisdom preaching against runaway consumerism in America and its allied evils of credit-card debt, corporate globalism, and the shafting of Third World workers. Meaning

Darshan - The Embrace Directed by Jan Kounen An ecstatic documentary about Amma, India's hugging saint, that reveals her large reserves of unconditional love, playfulness, compassion, and service. Love

Talking with the Dalai Lama Directed by John Halpern An informative documentary on Tibetan Buddhism's impact in the West containing interviews with spiritual teachers and filmmakers, plus an interview with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Attention

Russian Dolls Directed by Cedric Klapisch A 30-year-old French writer's struggles with the challenges of work and love in his fast-paced and fragmented urban life. Love

Forgiving Dr. Mengele Directed by Bob Hercules, Cheri Pugh A thought-provoking documentary about the difficulty people have with the spiritual practice of forgiveness. Forgiveness

Trudell Directed by Heather Rae A tribute to the focused and prophetic Native poet and activist who loves the Earth and has made many stands for the dignity of his people. Justice

Shining Soul: Helen Keller's Spiritual Life and Lega… Directed by Penny Price An inspiring portrait of the charisma, joy, spirituality, and service of Helen Keller. Joy

Rumi - Turning Ecstatic Directed by Steven Roloff, Tina Petrova A documentary tracing a Canadian woman's journey to find out more about Rumi's incredible impact upon our world. Devotion

Naked in Ashes Directed by Paula Fouce An edifying look at the lives and spiritual practices of 20 Hindu holy men in India who meditate, serve others, and take on austerities as part of their path. Teachers

Andrew Harvey: Sacred Activism Directed by Andrew Harvey, Kathy Close A clarion call to square off against the shadow of humanity, to surrender to the Divine Mother, and to serve others with a mystical activism that brings justice, peace, and love to a weary and war-tor… Love

Doing Time, Doing Vipassana Directed by Ayelet Menahemi, Eilona Ariel An extraordinary documentary about the transformations brought about in prisoners after they practiced meditation in India's Tihar Prison. Attention

Wheel of Time Directed by Werner Herzog An extraordinary documentary by German filmmaker Werner Herzog on a Buddhist ritual, held in Bodh Gaya, India, and Graz, Austria, in 2002 that attracted thousands of pilgrims. Devotion

Short Cut to Nirvana: Kumbh Mela Directed by Maurizio Benazzo, Nick Day An engrossing documentary that vividly presents the variety and vitality of Hindu devotion. Devotion

Tibet: Cry of the Snow Lion Directed by Tom Peosay An extraordinary and passionate documentary about the plight of the Tibetan people whose religion remains one of the wonders of the world with its wisdom on nonviolence, mind training, and compassion. Justice

The Gifts of Grief Directed by Nancee Sobonya A remarkable documentary in which seven spiritual people share their experiences of grief. Teachers

Beyond Hatred Directed by Olivier Meyrou Celebrates a cathartic act of forgiveness and reconciliation by a grieving family whose gay son was brutally murdered. Forgiveness

Haunted by God Vignettes from the journal of Dorothy Day conveying her values and visions. Justice