IMDb > Forest of Bliss (1986)

Forest of Bliss (1986) More at IMDbPro »


Overview

User Rating:
7.6/10   40 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 26% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Robert Gardner
Release Date:
January 1986 (USA) more
Genre:
Documentary more
Plot Keywords:
User Comments:
Beautiful, but ineffective Documentary more (2 total)

Additional Details

Runtime:
90 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Sound Mix:
Mono
Certification:
USA:Unrated

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
Beautiful, but ineffective Documentary, 23 March 2008
6/10
Author: maple-2 from United States

A beautiful documentary about the death industry in India. It is presented with vivid sound but no words or subtitles in English. I found the film a bit hypnotic and sleep inducing at the beginning, but as I gradually started to piece together a narrative of what I thought could be happening I started to construct a story from the presented sounds and images. Cows munching on marigold leis, burning bodies, pouring water on the ashes, fighting dogs, hauling wood for the pyres and an ill tempered funeral director haggling over the price of a service. I'm sure that no one else came away with an understanding very much like mine, but the film maker was able to give me vivid images so I could invent my own story.

Unfortunately the director thought he was presenting an essay. For me with no words, it was like trying to understand an essay written in German, for someone who speaks and reads only English. I could pick out a few common ideas around death rituals that I have seen or sat through such as an Irish wake, or sitting shivah, but I missed most of the meaning and details about this set of Hindu cultural practices.

Though it is not what I expect from a good documentary, this very polished film may be more insightful for someone who has spent considerable time in India.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (2 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Forest of Bliss (1986)

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Rolling Stone Presents Twenty Years of Rock & Roll Ornette: Made in America Kamikaze Hearts Down and Out in America Comic Book Confidential
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
IMDb Documentary section IMDb USA section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.