Kumaré is a wise guru from the East who indoctrinated a group of followers in the West. Kumaré, however, is not real - he is the alter ego of American filmmaker Vikram Gandhi who impersonated a spiritual leader for the sake of a social experiment designed to challenge one of the most widely accepted taboos: that only a tiny "1%” can connect the rest of the world to a higher power. Concealing his true identity from everyone he meets, Kumaré forges profound and spiritual connections with people from all walks of life. At the same time, in the absurdity of living as an entirely different person, Vikram, the filmmaker, is forced to confront difficult questions about his own identity. At the height of his popularity, Kumaré unveils his true identity to a core group of disciples who are knee-deep in personal transformation. Will they accept his final teaching? Can this illusion reveal a greater spiritual truth? "Kumare," at once playful and profound, is an insightful look at faith and belief.
Director: Vikram Gandhi
Stars: Vikram Gandhi, Purva Bedi and Kristen Calgaro
A provocative social experiment-turned-documentary, Kumare follows
American filmmaker Vikram Gandhi as he transforms himself into a wise
Indian guru, hoping to prove the absurdity of blind faith. Instead, he
finds himself forging profound connections with people from all walks
of life -- and wondering if and when to reveal his true self. Will his
followers accept his final teaching? Can this illusion reveal a greater
spiritual truth? Winner of South by Southwest's Audience Award, Kumare
is an insightful look at faith and belief.
A man impersonates a wise Indian Guru and develops a following in
Arizona. At the height of his popularity, the Guru Kumare reveals his
true identity and unveils his greatest teaching of all. In another
angle we can say, A documentary about a man who impersonates a wise
Indian Guru and builds a following in Arizona. At the height of his
popularity, the Guru Kumaré must reveal his true identity to his
disciples and unveil his greatest teaching of all.
