Stretching along the river Ganges rests Varanasi, the holiest of India’s seven sacred cities, and a place where devout Hindus go to die in hopes of achieving moksha - becoming liberated from the cycle of rebirth. Hindu scriptures say that a soul has to undergo 8.4 million rebirths before reaching the human form, the only form one can attain moksha, and dying in Varanasi and being cremated along the banks of the river is believed to be the ideal way of achieving this. Several so-called ‘death hotels’ exist to accommodate believers who abandon their lives and come here in wait for death - some for as long as 40 years.
Related Movies
Without Legends (1967)
In 1968 Herz Frank made Without Legends (Bez leģendām) at the Kuibishev studios, together with Aloizs Brenčs and Aleksandr Sazhin.
Castles in the Sand (1968)
One of the highest achievements of the new wave of Kirghiz cinema, which emerged in the mid-1960s. This story of a boy building sandcastles on the shores of the Issyk-Kul Lake becomes a documentary parable on the tensions between an artist and society.
Your Very Personal Poetry (1982)
This poetic core in youngsters is also touched in Stanukina's less known Your very personal poetry (Свои, совсем особые стихи, 1982), a wonderful film about a poetry class. It is here that one recalls Kogan's admiration of Lyalya's emotional documentary skills. And it is here that one recalls Kosakovsky's depiction of Lyalya as a person of extraordinarily prosperous feelings, sensitive and energetic, childish and female, shrill and quiet. The young poets are marvellously sneaky, respectfully adoring and creatively playing with - maybe even deconstructing - "Aleksandr Sergeevich", Mr. Pushkin, Russia's exclusive trade mark of high culture and literature.
Forty Steps (1968)
Movie-lesson observations in the classroom teacher of the Leningrad Conservatory honored artist of the RSFSR N..The Serval. Forty physical steps from the Leningrad Conservatory to the Kirov (Mariinsky) theatre - the way of the artist, overcome, physically and emotionally exhausting rehearsals. Great camera work.
Whoever has the Best Bread (1980)
A film about a simple village woman Zinaida Zvereva who married a disabled frontline soldier and lay all the hardships of living together onto herself
The Horse Walker (1969)
The film tells a story of Kosynka, a pregnant mare, and her owner, a battered old man. Kosynka leads the “horse walker,” designed to train young horse to walk steadily and at a pace. Set to a soundtrack of Bach and Russian folk music, this film is another example of a parable-like narrative, which became more popular in Soviet documentary in the early 1970s.
Romantici a Venezia (1948)
This is a documentary film on the romantic and decadent atmosphere of Venice at the end of the 18th century. A vigorous comment by Jean Cocteau tells us of the sick souls and the sorrows of literary characters and musicians who lived the dream of this city. It is the Venice of Lord Byron, Alfred de Musset, George Sand, d'Annunzio; a Venice made of precious images, palaces reflected in the water, mysterious moonlights, little squares where unhappy lovers wander under the music of Richard Wagner.
The Sound of Seeing (1963)
Made on a wind-up Bolex camera, The Sound of Seeing announced the arrival of 21-year-old filmmaker Tony Williams. Based around a painter and a composer wandering the city (and beyond), the film meshes music and imagery to show the duo taking inspiration from their surroundings.
Coronavirus (2020)
Struggling with fear, tension, and anxiety amid the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, a high school student reflects upon what really matters.
XY Anatomy of a Boy (2009)
Can you be a virgin, gay and into girls? This film is an intimate study of six homosexual boys. In the changing room some of the uncertainties and embarrassment's of youth emerge, such as the tale of hunky Peter, romance and the naff value of losing your virginity during a Disney movie.
Concrete Pharaohs (2010)
Welcome to the picturesque world of the Kaldarash Roma – a closed community of no more than 1 million people all over the world. 'Concrete Pharaohs' take us on a journey into the lifestyle and traditions of the most hidden and intriguing Roma communities. A charismatic Gypsy baron will walk us through his stories and his new house. We will learn the hot trends in Roma tombstone design. We will go down into the underground homes of African granite, furnished with beds, wardrobes, stereos and a charged cell phone – a direct line to the other world. A celebration of life and afterlife in all of their manifestations.
Wann ist der Mensch betrunken? (1957)
In order to determine the ability to drive after drinking alcohol, three men take various tests when sober and when drunk.
The Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat (1896)
A group of people are standing along the platform of a railway station in La Ciotat, waiting for a train. One is seen coming, at some distance, and eventually stops at the platform. Doors of the railway-cars open and attendants help passengers off and on. Popular legend has it that, when this film was shown, the first-night audience fled the café in terror, fearing being run over by the "approaching" train. This legend has since been identified as promotional embellishment, though there is evidence to suggest that people were astounded at the capabilities of the Lumières' cinématographe.
Mustapha El Atrassi - La Vie Est Folle (2020)
Immersion in Mustapha's mind during the lockdown period.
How the Telephone Talks (1919)
"All sounds travel in waves much the same as ripples in water." Educational film produced by Bray Studios New York, which was the dominant animation studio based in the United States in the years surrounding World War I.
Land of Ahimsa (2022)
The Land of Ahimsa” is a feature length documentary that follows Dolly Vyas-Ahuja on her journey to veganism. Dolly narrates and produces the film, alongside Bollywood actor Aryeman, who directs. “The Land of Ahimsa” will strive to inspire and encourage the people of India to adopt a vegan way of life by showing them how easy it is. Indians are waking up to the truth that all animals are intelligent species and deserve a chance to live.