Few movies have caused such a stir as this film did, when it came out last year and hit the continent earlier this year. Not only because of its docu-drama approach – blending a small story as a unifying thread with commentaries of expert speakers – but more because of the overtly way of fusing science with religious and esoteric knowledge. Once, these two fields of knowledge were tightly interlaced and spirituality could perfectly exist alongside scientific research. Nowadays, these matters are strictly separated by the majority of the scientific world, deeming the spiritual as a distracting element to the pursuit of pure science.

We find ourselves on the threshold of some of the most amazing discoveries ever, as scientists are delivering more and more proof for theories that were conceived by luminaries like Einstein, Bohr and Heisenberg. The presence of dark matter in the universe seems an almost 100% certainty, as do multiple dimensions; all in accordance with the various string theories. Also, on a smaller scale, progress is made in the field of quantum physics and nano technology. Yet, all these discoveries and theories cannot mask the tremendous amount of ignorance we still possess in these particular fields. The saying “the more you know, the less you know” is very fitting to describe the situation science finds itself in nowadays. And although science doesn’t seem hampered or frustrated anymore by its arch-old enemy the church, it does seem to suffer from a self-imposed censorship.

Back to our main feature. As said, this film touches on various fields; disciplines which the scientific society deems unable and unfit to combine. Not very surprising if you take into account that many disciplines in science have been kept separated for a very long time, even when they were considered to be ‘equal’ and bona fide. Here, quantum physics is used to point out the intricacies of our world and how our reality is merely subjective and unequivocally linked to our personal perception. To make a long story short: we create our own reality, since we exert our own influence onto it by being part of its creation. Sounds confusing? Well, it is maybe, but the makers of this film have quite a knack at explaining it in laymen’s terms. It does help though if you ever heard of quantum physics and string theory. It’s here that the dramatic plot around Amanda (played by deaf actress Marlee Matlin) laces the plethora of theories together.

And it does not only stop at quantum physics alone. Also bio-chemistry is used to explain the influence of our mind on (y)our reality and – frankly – our lives. It all culminates in the big revelation that our mind and consciousness is at the basis of everything: our lives, our happiness and our reality. Even our material reality, down to the quantum level of it! And we have the power to control all these aspects. There you go… Much of the science used is true, albeit not always completely objective and complete, as it is moulded shape to serve the message of the film. Further honesty urges to tell that the ‘so-called’ experts that provide the film with the scientific and esoteric information are not all completely unbiased. Many of them seem to be linked to Ramtha’s School of Enlightenment, an esoteric academy lead by Ramtha, channelled by the infamous J.Z. Knight. What’s this “Ramtha-deal” you might ask. Well, Ramtha is believed to be a 35,000 year old entity that communicates through the persona of J.Z. Knight a.k.a. Judith Darlene Hampton.

It’s here that the controversy around this film takes a full mount: J.Z. Knight/Ramtha is considered by many people to be a outright fraud. For the Dutch readers among you: the Dutch equivalent would be medium/fraud Jomanda. However, that would not do entire justice to Knight, as she does have a very compelling demeanour and swagger to her presentation. She seems rather knowledgeable on quantum physics and the mechanics of the universe. Her part in her film is quite remarkable, as she doesn’t come across as some spaced-out nutter or crazed guru. It must be the 35,000 year old being channelling his wisdom through her then… Nevertheless, her presence gives the antagonists the ammunition to completely bomb this film. To them, it immediately makes the film unbelievable and turns it into a mere platform for what is considered a fraudulent bunch of fruitcakes.

Personally, I’m a bit ambiguous about this film; it does present some colourful insights on our world of science, in a time where spirituality appears to be a kind of disease to some people. If you would leave the different theories for what they are, I could very well live with the general message that spells: “look beyond the obvious and open your mind.” I think that is a very sound and healthy mindset and it happens to be in complete accordance with what Bill Hicks used to say, when he urged his audience to “squeegee their third eye”. It does appear to me that the majority of the scientific society seems to have lost its open mindset and that it is ready for a major paradigm shift. We should not forget that entire faculties, scholarships, universities and careers are built on scientific theories (which in their turn are built on mostly well-educated assumptions) and that these bastions will not easily be given up. Thus science also suffers under it’s own strictness and doctrines.

Which means you are left with a movie that looks incredible and will provide an exhilarating experience to the open-minded viewer. It is however somewhat tarnished by the strong Ramtha-cult that drives this film and I couldn’t help tasting that strong smack which also hovers around Scientology. It’s something that I personally don’t like, since it virtually does the same thing that conservative science does: close off your open mind and force upon you a certain doctrine. So my suggestion is: watch this movie with an open mind and inform yourself.

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