we are promised some stunning cinematography with this film
based on a religious gathering held in allahabad india every 12 years
kumbh mela is the hindu equivalent of mecca but on a much larger scale
pilgrims from near and far meet for the largest peaceful gathering on earth
the film is a story within a documentary about one of the pilgrims encounters
starting out in his mountain-top home and a promise to his elderly father
a dip in the convergence of the site's rivers is every pilgrim's mission
his father asks him to return with a container of the precious water
he has a film crew in tow and stays on the rear side of the camera
the scale of the event becomes obvious in the opening scenes
the cameras weaving in and out of crowds and long wide shots
a voiceover providing a few stunning facts and figures
80 million people, 55 square kilometres, 60 day event
the film soon settles into stories within a documentary
3 sets of people are central with constant interchanging of focus
yogi babi is an ageless yoga-practicing, ganja-imbibing guru of sadhu
he has a son with him - baghali - abandoned as a baby and now aged 2
another couple have lost their 3 year old son saveeng and fear abduction
there are scenes of the volunteers who attempt to locate the 35,000 missing
sadness pervades as many people report lost and missing loved ones
it seems very easy for this to happen in this place (and no mobile phones)
the 3rd person/party of interest is 10 year old kishan - he's a real hustler
he claims to be orphaned and genuinely has wisdom way beyond his years
he has the jump on every one he meets and engages with
says he wants to become a gangster - and command respect
director pan nalin created the stunning travelogue film samsara
full of sumptuous images of exotic places and lush scenery
he has retained his eye for colour and texture here but added more
there's humanity and character connection in this film not seen otherwise
yogi babi in particular is one very wise man (well yes) but endearing with it
being a sadhu hindu he has renounced society, belongings, study and ambition
but he has a worldliness about him that suggests he knows what he is eschewing
alcohol for example - god made ganja, man made alcohol - who would you trust?
this man can tangle himself in some amazing yoga positions - e.g. hanging 12 hours in a tree
his young son looking on and emulating where possible his adoptive father's poses
an incredible scene where babi decides to take the dip and yoga-poses his way there
lead by his young son in the dusk of the day with other pilgrims paying their respect
that few minutes alone makes this film unforgettable - but there are 120 minutes in all
2 hours flies by and by the conclusion there is a real sense of understanding
not only of this landmark event but of the hindu faith and it's followers
an unexpected ending though - the water is first delivered to the father
and then the director sets out again to track down 10 year old kishan
not an orphan after all and pulled from kumbh mela by his father
when he is found he declares he has decided to become a sadhu
stating quite intently that he will be at the next kumbh mela in 2025
...and then he is gone again...methinks there will be a sequel
stunning, stunning, stunning - loved this film...
