Kumare

plays with Chico & Rita

(USA, 2011, 84 mins)

Executive Producer: Stephen Feder
Producer: Bryan Carmel, Brendan Colthurst
Screenwriter: Vikram Gandhi, Bryan Carmel, Brendan Colthurst
Cinematographer: Kahlil Hudson
Editor: Adam Barton, Nathan Russell
Featuring: Vikram Gandhi, Kristen Calgaro, Purva Bedi

Not Yet Rated

Two years ago filmmaker Vikram Gandhi pulled a prank that turned around and pulled back at him, leaving him with some serious questions about human spirituality—questions that audiences will certainly be talking about after experiencing this funny / not-so-funny documentary.

A cynical East-Coast urbanite who was raised in a traditional Hindu family, Gandhi decided to spoof yogis and gurus. He grew out his hair and beard, adopted a goopy Maharishi-esque accent and a nonsense name—Kumare—and went out to find devotees.

And of course he did find them, all of them white Americans, all quite sincere.

He taught them gibberish chanting and bogus yoga moves. In fact, the most amusing parts of this film show how enthusiastically Gandhi throws himself into these ridiculous lessons and hollow proclamations. The most disturbing parts of this film show how earnestly his followers fall for the scam. And then they actually do experience peace, joy, and spiritual insight. Once that begins to happen, "Kumare" is truly stuck in his own dilemma—"the biggest lie and the greatest truth of my life," he says in one of his many voice-overs. To his credit, he never mocks his flock. Instead he worries for them, and for himself.

This one took "Best" awards at the SXSW Film Festival, the Napa Valley FF, and the Dallas Video Fest.

- PW

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