Sacred

Sacred is a captivating and soul-provoking documentary released in 2016, directed by the Emmy-winning veteran of CBS News, Thomas Lennon. The film is a stunning global exploration of faith, rituals, and the human connection to the divine across different cultures. This transformative journey is filmed by over forty different filmmakers located in more than 25 countries, weaving together a sweeping portrayal of faith in many forms and practices throughout the world.

Sacred is unique in its presentation as there is no single host, narrator or set of protagonists. The filmmakers take a step back, allowing the subjects themselves to guide the viewers through their personal experiences with faith, life, death, love, and religious devotion.

The film is structured according to life's three vital stages - Initiation, Practice, and Passage. Each stage provides a platform for the audience to witness the infant baptism in America, Bar Mitzvah in Israel, exorcism in Ethiopia, pilgrimage in Mecca, Buddhist monastic life in Japan, and rites of passage in Nepal, amongst other intimate and extraordinary experiences.

In the 'Initiation' phase, the audience views beginnings across various cultures. From the ringing of church bells in Bosnia to the painting of religious iconography in Russia; from the morning prayers in Egypt to the celebrations of newborns in Kenya; each scene profoundly exhibits the deep-rooted influence of faith in people's lives right from their inception.

In the 'Practice' segment, we witness the everyday expressions of faith in cultures around the world. Viewers are welcomed into intimate spaces - a home in Spain where a family gathers for the rosary; the alleys of Jerusalem where young boys memorize Quranic verses; a Christian household in China that's preparing to baptize a new member, and a monk in Japan who mediates over a waterfall.

The 'Passage' section delves into how various cultures come to terms with rituals of death and how faith helps them navigate through this inevitable journey. Whether it’s a display of mourning in Mexico during the Day of the Dead, or the Ashura procession in Pakistan, Sacred dares to explore the relationship between mortality and faith.

Despite the array of differences portrayed, Sacred masterfully uncovers our shared human experiences, celebrating the similarities in ceremonies, rites, and cultural practices across the planet. It explores the theme of how individuals turn to faith in tough, challenging times, and how beliefs, dogmas, and religious practices provide comfort, meaning, and cohesion to their lives. The film neither critiques nor defends these practices; instead, it exists largely as an observer, witnessing people in their most vulnerable and somber moments.

Sacred, in its truest essence, does not just lead the viewer towards a profound understanding of diverse religious practices, but rather nudges every viewer to reflect on their personal relations with the Divine. It inspires a sense of how large, diverse and, yet, intimately connected the human family is.

One of the most striking elements of Sacred is its beautiful cinematography. Each shot is crafted with care, capturing the raw emotion and spiritual resonance of each practice. The intense visual flare combined with a poignant score adds an emotional depth to the film that is rarely seen in documentaries.

In conclusion, Sacred is more than a film; it is an awakening, a mirror to the similarities and idiosyncrasies of cultures worldwide bound by their profound sense of faith. It takes viewers on a global expedition, divulging the intimate moments of practicing faith around the world, serving as a testament to the numerous ways humanity seeks the divine. Ultimately, it implores viewers to reflect on their own spiritual practice, reinforcing the diverse but interconnected fabric of global faith communities.