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Short Cut to Nirvana: Kumbh Mela

2004 List
71% Tomatometer 35 Reviews 75% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
Short Cut to Nirvana: Kumbh Mela

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Short on depth but amazingly insightful, this glimpse into one of the world's largest spritual gatherings is worth viewing for the eye-opening experience alone.

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Critics Reviews

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Jessica Reaves Chicago Tribune Unless you're utterly fascinated by the minutiae of Hinduism, you may find yourself wishing for more story to this story -- and this film does not oblige. Rated: 2/4 Jul 9, 2005 Full Review Tom Keogh Seattle Times Too scattershot to make a real point about the true nature of a spiritual path. Rated: 2.5/4 Apr 29, 2005 Full Review V.A. Musetto New York Post A documentary chronicle of the 2001 Kumbh Mela, a sort of spiritual Woodstock held every 12 years near Allahabad, India. Rated: 3/4 Apr 15, 2005 Full Review Felicia Feaster Creative Loafing What is clearly a sacred event to the Indian and non-native participants becomes a crazed, depth-less spectacle of cinematic tourism in the hands of the filmmakers, who drop us into the midst of the fracas with no sense of perspective, insight or voice. Feb 3, 2020 Full Review Jason Ferguson Orlando Weekly As entertaining as it is illuminating. Oct 20, 2005 Full Review Robert W. Butler Kansas City Star Less a sober examination of this huge event than an impressionistic swirl of images and sounds (and, if you use your imagination, smells). Rated: 2.5/4 Sep 23, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member The story of young swami and his first crush. And when they get to the fat guy.... whoa. How can anyone top that? Oh... It's quite a sideshow. The same two samples being used repeatedly is simply ridiculous. Didn't even mention that it only occurs every 144 years. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member Film captures rare insights of an interesting spot on earth and an interesting time Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/16/23 Full Review Audience Member Very intersting look at the world's largest religious festival, located in India, that happens every 12 years. Colorful and informative, but it drags at some parts. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/12/23 Full Review Audience Member Being raised in a tradition where people come to celebrate: Latin culture, Roman Catholic culture, and Burning Man culture I have become obscessed with how the world celebrates in a spirital way. This film shows how Hindus come together to celebrate and all the different aspects of the celebration. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/23/23 Full Review Audience Member I swear these people were puffin the pipe or hittin the bong-they just cut those parts out of the film.-that's the Short Cut To Nirvana LOL! Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/14/23 Full Review Audience Member HI ALL... THIS IS THE MOVIE I AM IN!!! GO SEE IT! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/11/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Short Cut to Nirvana: Kumbh Mela

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Movie Info

Director
Maurizio Benazzo