I was raised without any religion, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t thought about Why We’re Here. Practically daily. Apparently, even being raised Episcopal (“Catholic Light”, according to the him), filmmaker Roger Nygard also spent time wondering about the Nature of Existence, hence the documentary of the same name he spent 5 years making.
The Film explores Nygard’s own search for meaning in his life, and he takes the viewer on a trip around the world and through many spiritual, religious and scientific paths to see how other people answer the same question: Why Are We Here? (Plus he then went on to ask 84 more questions of everyone he interviewed. All 85 questions are on the film’s website and you can answer them for yourself.)
I’ve known Roger for over 20 years, having worked on his first short film, and honestly, at the time, I had no idea he even thought about stuff like this. He was pretty focused on getting the film made at the time and I realize that does take focus. But in the years since, I’ve watched Roger grow as a filmmaker, and I really think documentaries are his niche. He has the ability to present slightly strange (and often VERY strange) people and their passions and predilections — and not make fun of them. Witness the Klingon Language School scenes in Trekkies for an example.
In The Nature of Existence, Roger showcases people with beliefs that are all over the proverbial map, and yet each person is treated with dignity. It’s a nice touch. But don’t get me wrong, there are still some truly strange moments and characters in the film, and plenty of laughter.
The film lets the viewers come to their own conclusions about their own Reasons For Being, of course, this is not a propaganda piece — but it’s clear that filmmaker Roger Nygard also came to his own conclusions about why he’s here.
My only complaint about the film is that the pacing is too fast: It’s boom-boom-boom, no pausing for reflection between presentations of ideas. But the truth is, that’s the Nature of Roger’s own Existence — he’s a fast-paced guy, looking for answers and in a hurry to get them.
I showed the movie to my kids to see what they would make of it all. Turns out it’s true what all those research books say about kids’ brains — very concrete at this age. Abstract concepts like God and afterlife are expressed in very black and white, simplistic terms and the subtleties are pretty much lost. But I’m happy to have started the ball rolling by watching the film with them. I am all about letting my kids ask questions, and they had plenty after this movie. Mostly about why we don’t go to church on Sundays.
Which is the topic for another post, another day.
The Nature of Existence opens in select theaters this Friday, June 18th, and in Los Angeles on June 30th.
SARAH AUERSWALD
MarVistaMom.com
http://marvistamom.com/2010/06/15/the-nature-of-existence-a-mom-and-sons-review
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