Becoming Truly Human

Becoming Truly Human is a unique feature documentary that explores the rising number of religious "nones" in America, individuals who do not affiliate with any faith but are drawn towards spiritual inquiry. Reviewed and critiqued by various professional bodies in the field of filmmaking, the film has managed to create a profound impact on its audience for its conceptual richness and illuminative storytelling.

The film revolves around the life and journey of its protagonist, Basil. He characterizes himself as part of the religious "nones" community. Basil’s story serves as a reflective mirror to examine what it means to be a “none”, the implications of this term, and what this rising demographic could mean for society at large.

The film draws deeply into Basil's spiritual quest. His journey is powerfully reflective as Basil seeks a deeper understanding and connection to the existential unanswered questions that life presents. Indeed, the structure of the film ingeniously utilizes Basil's journey as a framework to examine larger societal, existential, and spiritual themes, while also maintaining a coherent narrative flow to keep the audience emotionally invested in his story.

The film is framed through the lens of Basil's conversion to Orthodox Christianity and his reserved encounter with its ancient faith. He admits to having struggled with concepts of religion, spiritual identity, cultural unity, and, in essence, the purpose of life. His narrative illustrates a personal yet relatable quest for existential fulfillment. Basil's journey traverses the contours of a culture seeking to fill a spiritual void.

In a broader sense, "Becoming Truly Human" provides a unique perspective on the rise of the religious "nones" and their individual and collective journeys. The film effectively highlights the multifaceted reasons why people are becoming religiously unaffiliated in contemporary times. The core of the narrative asks some hard questions about life's deeper meanings, what constitutes spiritual belonging, and how to define one's identity in a society yearning for a higher purpose.

Basil's transition into Orthodoxy also brings a plethora of interesting perspectives about a faith tradition that is infrequently explored within popular culture. Basil's experience with it and its impact on his spiritual journey allows the audience to delve deeper into the nature and teachings of Orthodox Christianity.

"Becoming Truly Human" is impactful in its storytelling, leveraging the power of personal narrative to connect, resonate, and engage with its audience at a deeper level. The film also provides significant insights into individuals' changing relationships with organized religion, spiritual longing, and the quest for authentic faith.

Innovatively, the documentary manages to respect a wide array of perspectives, offering a nuanced, fair, and empathetic discussion on questions of spirituality and faith in the modern age. It is not just a commentary on trend but an exploration of the individual journeys that contribute to this overarching social phenomenon.

The captivating cinematography effortlessly weaves together the diverse aspects of the story, from intimate conversations with Basil to the broader, philosophical, and cultural themes. This seamless integration of narrative elements imparts a visually stunning appeal adding greater depth to the dialogue the film presents.

"Becoming Truly Human" calls on the viewers to embark on their journey of introspection and wonder, exploring their beliefs and assumptions about life and spirituality. It prompts the audience to re-evaluate the place of faith and religion in their lives, fostering a broader conversation about the changing dynamics of religion in America.

To summarize, "Becoming Truly Human" is correspondingly a personal as well as universal exploration of faith and spiritual identity. It is a thought-provoking documentary that gives a symbolic voice, via Basil's journey, to the ever-growing population of the religious "nones". It is as much an intellectual and spiritual exploration as it is a sensitive, humanistic story that resonates with today's society seeking to fill a sense of spiritual void.