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Short Cut to Nirvana: Kumbh Mela
Mela Films LLC

Short Cut to Nirvana: Kumbh Mela reviews


9.2

based on 14 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 12 votes
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MPAA RATING: Not Rated

This documentary examines the Kumbh Mela, the oldest, greatest, most fascinating festival on Earth.

GENRE(S):	Documentary
DIRECTED BY:	Maurizio Benazzo Nick Day
RELEASE DATE:	DVD: October 25, 2005 Theatrical: January 14, 2005
RUNNING TIME:	85 minutes, Color
ORIGIN:	USA
LANGUAGE(S):	English / Hindi (with English subtitles)

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

San Francisco Chronicle Carla Meyer

A snapshot of the festival, one that radiates good cheer and offers moments of true, godly goodness.

New York Post V.A. Musetto

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.

The New York Times Dana Stevens

Given the event's size and complexity, it is perhaps inevitable that this documentary feels haphazard and superficial, more tourist's photo album than analysis. Still, the glimpses it offers are never less than fascinating.

Variety Dennis Harvey

Casual, engaging documentary doesn't attempt a Hinduism 101 lesson, instead going for an impressionistic mix of on-the-fly spectacle and human interest.

Los Angeles Times Kevin Crust

If the film offers any lesson, it is that nirvana is not easily attainable, so there really are no shortcuts.

Austin Chronicle Marc Savlov

Remarkable and enlightening.

New York Daily News Elizabeth Weitzman

Mostly, Benazzo and Day leave us alone to take in the extraordinary sights and sounds.

LA Weekly Ella Taylor

An amiable and colorful, if dewy-eyed, documentary.

The Hollywood Reporter Kirk Honeycutt

As an introduction to this mind-spinning festival, the film gets the job done.

Film Threat Phil Hall

A beautifully crafted documentary.

Boston Globe Ty Burr

At its strongest cataloging the sheer sensory overkill of the festival -- the faces, the food, the many roads to bliss. Only the slightest historical information is offered and no spiritual background whatsoever.

Washington Post Desson Thomson

An overture to the subject rather than a profound study.

Village Voice Edward Crouse

A free-for-all doc that, like its subject, seems on several planes at once.

The Onion (A.V. Club) Scott Tobias

Inept.

The average user rating for this movie is 9.2 (out of 10) based on 12 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Lu M gave it a10:
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!

shuly a. gave it a10:
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!!!

Andrea S. gave it a10:
"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!

Karen Z gave it a10:
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.

roxy s. gave it a10:
A trip to india for the price of a movie ticket!

Shuly A. gave it a10:
Wonderful movie! I enjoyed it a lot! Great footage and soundtrack!

susan b. gave it a10:
A rare kind of film. Spiritual but not preaching. Loved that the camera was not judging. I felt as I was there, surrounded by that mass of blissfull humanity without any fear. A gem! Sue B

Short Cut to Nirvana: Kumbh Mela Mela Films LLC

Short Cut to Nirvana: Kumbh Mela
Mela Films LLC