Gunnar Goes God - DaaVeeDee

Gunnar Goes God (DVD) (*)

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Screened, competed or awarded at:
Vancouver International Film Festival
Other Film Festival Awards

Language Selections:
Danish ( Subtitles )
English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 )
English ( Dolby Digital 5.1 )
English ( Subtitles )
German ( Subtitles )
Norwegian ( Subtitles )
Spanish ( Subtitles )
Swedish ( Subtitles )

Product Origin/Format:
Norway ( PAL/Region 0 )

Running Time:
86 min

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen (1.78:1)

Special Features:
Anamorphic Widescreen
Cast/Crew Interview(s)
Interactive Menu
Scene Access
Trailer(s)

Movie filmed in 2010 and produced in:
Norway ( Scandinavia, Iceland )

Directed By:
Gunnar Hall Jensen

Written By:
Gunnar Hall Jensen
Elin Sander

Actors:
Zulfikar Fahmy ..... Himself
Gunnar Hall Jensen ..... Himself
Øyvind Rydland ..... Himself
Elin Sander ..... Herself

Synopsis:

What is the meaning of life? For filmmaker Gunnar Hall Jensen, trapped in the woes of middle-class, financially affluent, consumerist culture, the question becomes more than a navel-gazing solipsistic exercise in this pointedly funny film. Gunnar is not alone in his quest for meaning; his entire film crew is stuck in a similar spiritual malaise, over-worked, stressed out and drinking like proverbial fish in order to cope with the demands of modern life. Is this what it's all about, asks Gunnar, "Sacrificing myself for a way of life that leaves me dead?" When Gunnar reads a magazine article about a desert monastery that has been in existence since the 4th century, he and his entire crew decamp for the Sahara in search of answers. Along the way, he ponders the idea of God and his own lack of faith. Although he sees the beauty in "rituals, techniques, meditations," he asks himself, "How it is possible that something so beautiful [religious faith] can so easily turn into violence and horror?" The monks have retreated from the world to search for the truth. They rise at 4am, have one meal a day at 5 and spend the evenings alone in contemplation and prayer. Gunnar tries to fit into monastic life but finds himself lonely, bored and craving junk food. When he asks the monks about death, they state unequivocally: "Death for us is a just a passage from this life to eternal life." But Gunnar isn't quite ready to slip this mortal coil.

What is the meaning of life? For filmmaker Gunnar Hall Jensen, trapped in the woes of middle-class, financially affluent, consumerist culture, the question becomes more than a navel-gazing solipsistic exercise in this pointedly funny film. Gunnar is not alone in his quest for meaning; his entire film crew is stuck in a similar spiritual malaise, over-worked, stressed out and drinking like proverbial fish in order to cope with the demands of modern life. Is this what it's all about, asks Gunnar, "Sacrificing myself for a way of life that leaves me dead?" When Gunnar reads a magazine article about a desert monastery that has been in existence since the 4th century, he and his entire crew decamp for the Sahara in search of answers. Along the way, he ponders the idea of God and his own lack of faith. Although he sees the beauty in "rituals, techniques, meditations," he asks himself, "How it is possible that something so beautiful [religious faith] can so easily turn into violence and horror?" The monks have retreated from the world to search for the truth. They rise at 4am, have one meal a day at 5 and spend the evenings alone in contemplation and prayer. Gunnar tries to fit into monastic life but finds himself lonely, bored and craving junk food. When he asks the monks about death, they state unequivocally: "Death for us is a just a passage from this life to eternal life." But Gunnar isn't quite ready to slip this mortal coil. Finally he concludes, "God lives inside me - lives with me and dies with me. I just need to nurture him and he comes alive. I can do that." At home in Norway, he organizes his own form of spiritual ritual, middle-class monk style - with a paintball gun!

A Scandinavian man's quest for truth in the experience of God vs. the experience of middle class boredom.

This product was added to our catalog on Monday 02 January, 2012.