PENANCE: THE CONTROVERSIAL SIDE OF RELIGION
by Alvaro G. Ubeda
This groundbreaking four-part documentary series explores
in depth the contentious topic of penance among four of the world’s
leading religions - Hinduism, Taoism, Christianity and Islam. These seemingly
pointless acts of self-punishment, rarely understood and highly criticized,
have always created disagreement, even among the religions that practice
them. The documentaries show an unprecedented look at the legends and traditions
that have shaped each one of these festivals. Ceremony where magic joins
belief creating a show of colors and feelings.
Every year passionate devotees organize festivals, during which they confront severe physical suffering. These ancient rituals that defy any logic or scientific understanding continue to gather the crowds with the desire to get glimpses of spiritual power that can be felt even by the uninitiated viewer.
We invite you to join us on a journey into the unknown, the incredible and the unbelievable. This series presents the most controversial side of religion to reveal the most surprising side of the human being - chilling, completely unexpected- an assault on the senses.
1. THAIPUSAM
Thaipusam is a Hindu festival dedicated to the almighty Murugan, Shiva’s younger son, God of the Armies and Lord of Happiness. It is celebrated on the day when the stars Pusam and Brihaspaty join, giving the illusion of being just one. It is mainly celebrated in South India and Southeast Asia, but it takes chilling dimensions in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia.This festival graces the supernatural through an internal process or trans, in which blind believe and extreme courage play an important role in its attainment. This festival is related to penance and the debt we have for our sins. Indian devotees prepare themselves physically and mentally for an entire month before the ritual begins.
The documentary captures the greatness of the acts displayed along with the wisdom of this ancient tradition.
2. MUHARRAM
Muharram is a Muslim festival that means “forbidden to fight”. It is the first month of the Islamic calendar and it is considered one of the most sacred ones. While the Sunnis joyfully celebrate their Islamic New Year, the Shiites put on their black attire to commemorate the tragic massacre of Hussein - their most respected martyr - in the Battle of the Karbala desert.This documentary focuses on the Shiite community and the controversy surrounding their bloody acts of penance. This ethnic minority, representing 10% of the Muslim creed, unite in this celebration to hit their chest, cut their scalp and flagellate their backs with sharp blades. The participants repent for their ancestors' luck of courage in a festivity that must be seen in order to be believed.
Images that at times become hard to digest and capture the difficult confrontation that every Shiite has to face with himself.
3. 9 EMPEROR GODS
The 9 emperor gods are invited every year to leave their dwelling in the Big Deeper constellation and spend 9 days on earth. The Taoist temples organize such lavish celebration that not even the Gods would dare miss it. This festival takes place on the 9th day of the 9th month in the Taoist calendar. Widely known as the Vegetarian Festival, it reaches its highest intensity on the tropical Thai Island of Phuket.During this festival Taoist devotees perform excruciating physical sacrifices under the protection of momentary trance. In this mental state, their bodies are temporarily surrendered to the higher deities allowing them to experience the physical world.
The Vegetarian Festival is a spectacle of light, of color, of smells and of sounds. An exhilarating adventure into one of the most astounding events of our time.
4. HOLY WEEK
Holy Week is a festivity of great importance within the Christian religion because it commemorates the death and resurrection of their Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth. During the 8 days of mourning followers gather in street processions. These rituals began in the Third Century as an initiation rite for pagans and sinners seeking shelter inside Christianity. The repentant would have to suffer acts of self-punishment proportionate to their degree of impurity. With the passing of the centuries these rituals mixed with the local traditions, turning into the variety of celebrations that we can see today.Holy Week is celebrated throughout the Christian world becoming notably spectacular in few tows across Spain and the Philippines. The documentary acknowledges the important role suffering has in Christianity. A collage of images of fervent devotes carrying out their penitence. A week dedicated to repentant, punishment and forgiveness of sins.
| TITLE | PENANCE: The controversial side of religion |
| PRODUCER BY | Ego Productions, Gonu S.A. |
| DISTRIBUTED | AntropoDocus Producciones |
| GENRE | Anthropological Documentary Film |
| RUNNING TIME | 4 x 52´ |
| LANGUAGES | Spanish, English |
| COLOR | Color |
| FORMAT | 4:3 |
| SOUND | Stereo |
| COUNTRY | Spain |
| YEAR | 2008 |
| SCRIPT | Alvaro G Ubeda, Paulina Muhape |
| DIRECTOR | Alvaro G Ubeda |
| EDITOR | Alvaro G Ubeda |
| PRODUCER | Antonio Bernal, Antonio Gonzalez |
| NARRATION | Anthony Luce |
| MUSIC | Abelardo Oquendo |
| RESEARCH | Paulina Muhap |
