Short Cut to Nirvana: Kumbh Mela
  • Release Date: Jan 14, 2005
Short Cut to Nirvana: Kumbh Mela Image
Metascore
55 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 14 Critics What's this?

User Score
9.3 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 12 Ratings

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0 out of 10
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  • Summary: This documentary examines the Kumbh Mela, the oldest, greatest, most fascinating festival on Earth.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 14
  3. Negative: 1 out of 14
  1. New York Post
    Reviewed by: V.A. Musetto
    75
    Reaches its climax on the main bathing day, with a throng of naked holy men leading the charge into the Ganges. You would be forgiven for thinking you're watching a hot July day at Coney Island.
  2. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Carla Meyer
    75
    A snapshot of the festival, one that radiates good cheer and offers moments of true, godly goodness.
  3. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Kirk Honeycutt
    60
    As an introduction to this mind-spinning festival, the film gets the job done.
  4. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Scott Tobias
    20
    Inept.

See all 14 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 10
  3. Negative: 1 out of 10
  1. KarenZ
    10
    A glimpse into the biggest spiritual gathering on Earth in terms of numbers of participants. I came to the film as an eggheady Christian looking for common ground with other spiritual corners of the globe. Shortcut to Nirvana is a superb vehicle for such connection. As others have stated, Kumbh Mela is too vast a festival to be crammed into a nutshell, and the filmmakers have not tried to do so. What they give us is a warm, enthusiastic overview of a event that moves a wide variety of people to community and vitality in their quest for godly energy. For a westerner, it is indeed moving and encouraging to see Hindus of widely differing practices, as well as the Dalai Lama, peacefully embracing each other's humanity and expressing their faith.… Expand
  2. AndreaS.
    10
    "Short Cut to Nirvana", the movie, is extremely informative yet with good sense of humor. I felt touched and inspired by its magnitude and simplicity.(...) Thank Maurizio and Nick for this remarkable experience! The message stays with you! Peace for all!… Expand
  3. shulya.
    10
    BeautifuL and colorful. Great sound track. After watching it for the 3rd time I can say it only gets better! Makes you wanna go there and experiance it yourself!!!… Expand
  4. LuM
    10
    The film takes us on a journey that neither we nor the flimmakers could have planned for or anticipated. This is the beauty of the Kumbh Mela. After seeing this movie (several times) I would love to experience my own adventure at the next Kumbh Mela. Watch the movie now and you still have a few years to plan your own visit!… Expand

See all 10 User Reviews

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