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Darshan, the Embrace

Play trailer Poster for Darshan, the Embrace 2005 1h 33m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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53% Tomatometer 19 Reviews 82% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
Filmmaker Jan Kounen follows Amma, a renowned humanitarian and Gandhi-King Prize winner, as she spreads comfort and healing throughout India with hugs and charitable works. Amma heads an organization that houses the homeless, feeds the hungry, and builds hospitals and orphanages.

Critics Reviews

View All (19) Critics Reviews
Bill Stamets Chicago Sun-Times Her teachings are trite. Rated: 2/4 Oct 6, 2006 Full Review Michael Wilmington Chicago Tribune You may walk away from Darshan, if it moves you at all, smiling yourself. After all, we could all use a hug. Rated: 3/4 Oct 5, 2006 Full Review John Anderson Newsday Less National Geographic and more personal history would have added a dimension to Darshan. Rated: 2.5/5 Sep 21, 2006 Full Review Eric Monder Film Journal International Lacks both narrative edge and a complex world view. Mar 1, 2007 Full Review Keith Breese Filmcritic.com a beautifully filmed portrait of a woman who embodies a human love that is nothing short of miraculous Rated: 3.5/5 Nov 16, 2006 Full Review Phil Villarreal Arizona Daily Star It may have been Ari Gold on HBO's "Entourage" who coined the phrase "hug it out," but it's Indian guru Amma who lives it. Rated: 2/4 Nov 2, 2006 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (29) audience reviews
Audience Member The critics are mostly cowards and assholes. Watch the documentary, then make up your own mind. This woman will win the Nobel Peace Prize in the next ten years and already has come close, for the right reasons, e.g., her help building hospitals and schools across India, her help re-building 100,000 homes after the tsunami--oh, yeah--and hugging 22 million people without asking for anything in return. There's a time and a place to put away the cynicism, and this is it. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member I've been having Darshan with Ammachi for many years, and this movie does capture some of the best moments and spirituality of meeting a great Saint and guru. I never knew that so many people went to see here in India and that she sat for so many hours hugging. I recommend this movie as a mood setter if you going or have interest in meeting her. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/15/23 Full Review Audience Member This movie is more like a tone poem than an overview of Amma's ministry, but I found it to be beautiful and peaceful. Definitely gave me a sense of what it must be like in India, and around this amazing woman. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/21/23 Full Review Audience Member As others have commented, this film does very little to give you a background on Amma's life, just bits and pieces, but the overall feel of the piece is very moving and almost surreal at moments. It's really beautiful this day and age to see a soul so committed to helping people and spreading as much love and compassion as she does. The footage very expertly cut and edited and gives you the flavor and feeling of India, and it captures the childlike happiness and peaceful serenity of Amma very beautifully. Seeing this will make you want to meet Amma in person or at the very least, go out and give someone a hug! :) Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/21/23 Full Review Audience Member Amma, a sort of living saint, promotes peace and compassion through devoting herself to giving hugs throughout India. Nice shots of daily India. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/01/23 Full Review Audience Member A beautifully done movie. You really see the ashram and her day to day life. There are interesting glimpses of India too. I wished there was more actual dialogue and information. When Amma did speak in the film it was very nice and inspiring. But that dialogue was short and limited. There was also no history in the film and very little information. It was basically the camera following her on tour. But it was very well done. The scenes were gorgeous and the music was great. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/15/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Darshan, the Embrace

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Movie Info

Synopsis Filmmaker Jan Kounen follows Amma, a renowned humanitarian and Gandhi-King Prize winner, as she spreads comfort and healing throughout India with hugs and charitable works. Amma heads an organization that houses the homeless, feeds the hungry, and builds hospitals and orphanages.
Director
Jan Kounen
Producer
Manuel de la Roche
Screenwriter
Jan Kounen, Manuel de la Roche
Production Co
Arte France Cinema, Artist Film, Pegasos Film
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Jul 26, 2006
Box Office (Gross USA)
$65.3K
Runtime
1h 33m
Sound Mix
Dolby