Graham and Anna were originally attracted to making a film about ISKCON because they had long been interested in Vaishnavism, particularly ISKCON, and had been impressed by director Jouko Aaltonen’s film Kusum (2000). Jouko has made many award-winning documentaries and his skills as a documentary filmmaker are acknowledged internationally. Anna said that she and Graham had been able to cross disciplines and work with Jouko in a very privileged way during filming. They were also fortunate to visit Helsinki, and see the actual process of filming and editing. When Anna first saw the unedited rushes of the film she was overwhelmed by the hours of filming they represented, and wondered how on earth Jouko could manage to create a story out of this vast material. She discovered that the sensitive process of editing was very like sculpture as the final form was revealed.

The theme of the 2012 BASR Conference was ‘Borders, Boundaries and Transgressions: within and between religions.’ Conference presenters were asked to explore the question of what religion is, whether there is such a thing, and if so, what might constitute its borders and boundaries – all matters of dispute. Anna commented that LEAP is a very gentle film about the relationship of guru and disciple; one which gets to the heart of bhakti and the notion of service. Nevertheless it is also a film which raises general questions about religion and religious experience, and about boundaries and daring to go beyond them.

The film focuses on the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, a missionary society whose primary aim is to raise inner love and devotion to God. Originally regarded by the media as a controversial hippy cult and by academics as a new religious movement, it is seen by devotees as an authentic Vaishnava movement which has been transplanted globally. Over the last few decades it has transformed from a society dominated by ascetics into a family friendly congregational movement attracting large Indian-Hindu congregations. The film follows devotees’ spiritual and physical journeys across cultures, religions and continents. This leap of faith into faith is at the heart of LEAP. It tells the story of a devotee and his Guru and the choices that they make on their journey of surrender to God. The film’s action moves between the UK, Finland and India as it follows the spiritual paths of Keshava Madhava Das and Radhanath Swami, and as it does so the audience gains remarkable insight into one of the world’s most fascinating, colourful and complex religions. The film begins with shots of Keshava parachuting out of the sky, and then witnesses his progress over two years as he faces the dilemmas of reconciling conflicting feelings and desires. At the same time, the relationship of the Guru to his aspiring disciple is explored, as well as the Guru’s own personal and spiritual concerns.

Keshava began life as Kenneth Kairenius whose family were from a Lutheran background. He grew up as a solitary child, and was traumatised when he experienced his grandfather’s death. He later studied a variety of different religions and finally joined the Hare Krishna movement, being one of its pioneers in Finland. The film contrasts his life as a seasonal tram driver in Helsinki with his life as a disciple in the holy city of Mayapur, India, and explores the challenging choices he has to make – not least the choice between life as an ascetic and life as householder. Radhanath Swami on the other hand is one of ISKCON’s most charismatic gurus with thousands of disciples all over the world. He is regarded by many devotees as a living saint. As one of the foremost leaders of ISKCON, he is a member of the GBC, or Governing Body Commission. But he started off as Richard Slavin, a Jewish boy in Chicago, and travelled via the 60s counter-cultural movement to India, to become the initiated disciple of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhubada, founder of the Hare Krishna movement. He is today a renouncer based at the Radha Gopinath Ashram in Chowpatty, Mumbai, but travels ceaselessly throughout Asia, Africa, Europe and America, teaching devotional wisdom.

At the end of the screening the audience was invited to ask questions and comment. The feedback from this very knowledgeable audience was warm and appreciative. Several people commented on the value of the film as a resource for Universities and schools (particularly Religious Studies Departments) but suggested that an accompanying information booklet for lecturers and teachers would be valuable. Professor June Boyce-Tillman pointed out that few non-specialists would have the knowledge to understand the ritual involved. Other members of the audience felt that the lack of commentary was to be welcomed as it allowed the film to make its own impact. Graham answered questions about the making of the film and also about how and where the film could be bought or rented. It is available now on DVD, for streaming and download (http://leapthefilm.com/).

Afterwards Anna received several email messages commenting on the film, extracts from some of which are included here with permission:

Professor Eileen Barker, Professor Emeritus of Sociology of Religion, London School of Economics

LEAP provides a rare insight into a unique relationship – that between a devotee and his guru. Silently, we are given a glimpse of something that is beyond our grasp yet obviously very real.

Peggy Morgan, Mansfield College, Oxford University

This film is a unique and insightful exploration of a spiritual journey which bridges continents and shows the impact of a spiritual teacher on people’s lives. It is a sensitively made record which will enable many viewers to understand the commitment of others.

Professor Denise Cush, Subject Leader, Religions, Philosophies and Ethics, Bath Spa University

 Wow congratulations on the award. My personal reaction was that I found the ‘hero’ {Keshava} easy to empathise with and the film helped make more real the reasons why someone might be attracted to a religious movement such as ISKCON.

The Very Revd James Atwell, Dean of Winchester

Dear Paul and Anna

Thanks for including me in the invitation to see the UK premier of Leap last evening. The time worked well for me, so it was a bonus to be able to attend. I enjoyed the film tremendously and felt it was a real insight into one person’s pilgrimage in two worlds and of how the relationship with a Guru works. I felt that relationship was respectful, but not manipulative. The rinsing of the statues with milk etc and the food offerings make ancient ritual from Babylonian and Egyptian temples spring to life and certainly made me aware of the huge continuity of spirituality that Hinduism carries. The question time afterwards enriched the experience and I would support the person who felt some interpretive material to go with the film is important. I did not find it too long. Like the film about the trapists (Le Grand Silence) it needs to draw the viewer into something meditative…..Congratulations to Anna on her contribution to the film, and to you both for keeping the University of Winchester as a significant part of this sort of work.

Dr Janet Williams, Gloucester Tutor for the West of England Ministry Training Course and Director of Reader Training for Gloucester Diocese:

LEAP has tremendous potential as a resource for adult religious education: a rich and intriguing stimulus to discussion about the nature of contemporary religious identities and belonging, about religious practice and experience, about western appropriations of eastern spiritual movements, and perhaps most potently, about devotion, worship, and conceptions of the divine. Visually powerful, the film’s focus on one particular disciple and his Guru eschews editorial commentary, empowering its audience to take responsibility for their own interpretation of the material presented.

Stephanie Robertson. Winchester University PhD student

Beautifully photographed and sensitively directed ‘LEAP’, is a skilful glimpse into the life of a Hare Krishna devotee in the 21st century.  Presentation of the essential elements of bhakti are brought alive by this insightful film, which is sure to make a valuable contribution to any pedagogical exposition of the complex and multiple varieties of Hindu tradition.

Anne Gibson, Yoga teacher and reflexologist.

Hi Anna,

I just wanted to say, while it’s fresh in my mind, how much all three of us enjoyed the film tonight. Quite beautiful and very atmospheric and with a mesmeric quality that built subtly as it went on. I wondered beforehand what Liz and Eveleen would think of it (knew I would like it almost whatever it was!) but they loved it, and none of us thought it was too long. In fact, we would have liked more!

We did wonder about Keshava’s family and educational background – we saw the bride’s family at the wedding but he seemed to have sprung fully formed from nowhere.

Longing to go back to India… Would love to get back there somehow, somewhere, in 2014 ….

A Documentary Film about Faith was shown at the annual British Association for the Study of Religions (BASR) conference, which was held at Winchester University on Thursday evening 6th September.  The screening of the film, which explores the devotional world of ISKCON, with a particular focus on the lives of His Holiness Radhanath Swami and his Finnish disciple Keshava Madhava das, was enthusiastically received by all who attended the event.

The audience of some 60 conference participants, many of whom were distinguished and highly celebrated British and international religious studies scholars, commented that the film was both inspirational and a helpful resource for use on academic courses of study.  Dr Graham Dwyer and Dr Anna King (Winchester University) introduced the film and responded to questions about it.  As they were both central in the  making of “Leap”, especially in terms of the research they carried out for it and in their role as advisers to the award winning Finnish film director Jouko Aaltonen, they offered informative and welcome comment about the film.

www.leapthefilm.com

www.jaamarssi.fi

http://www.taiteenkeskustoimikunta.fi/fi/web/elokuvataide/uutinen/-/news/150050?p_p_auth=czbi8GC6

Leap will be screened as a part of Cambridge film festival at the Buddhist Centre 08:30 pm Friday 14th September and at the Arts Picturehouse 10:30 am 16th September. The film will be in competition of audience award.

LEAP is a film about a disciple and his Guru and the choices that they make on their journey of surrender to God. LEAP is an adventure into the international and controversial Hare Krishna movement, but also a film about religious experience in general.

The film moves between the UK, Finland and India as it documents the story of Keshava Madhava Das, a Finnish tram driver and disciple, and his Guru Radhanath Swami, one of the movement’s most charismatic spiritual leaders. Keshava started life as Kenneth, a lonely boy who witnessed his father’s death. Radhanath Swami was born Richard Slavin in Chicago in 1950. In his teens he came to confront a deep sense of alienation from suburban life and the civil injustices of mid-century America. Today Radhanath Swami travels regularly throughout India, Europe and North America, sharing the teachings of Bhakti-yoga. He resides much of the year at the Radha Gopinath Ashram in Chowpatty, Mumbai, and is revered by many devotees as a living saint.

With unprecedented access, LEAP charts the progress of the disciple Keshava over two years as he faces the dilemmas of reconciling his personal life with the calling of a demanding religious path. At the same time, the relationship of the Guru to his aspiring disciple is explored, as well as the Guru’s own personal and spiritual concerns, By following the spiritual journeys of Keshava and Radhanath Swami we gain remarkable insight into one of the world’s most fascinating religions.  

- Dr. Anna King

- Keshava Madhava Das

After the screening people discussed actively. As the Director I was excited to know how people would react to the film and how they would receive it. Now I feel relieved. The viewers received the film as I intended: as a dive or a leap into a religion considered exciting or even strange. In the film the world is seen from this point of view, as an intuitive, sensual and even as a colourful experience. To me Leap is a film about religion in general. How much is there in common and how many humane aspects are in religious experiences? Do Hare Krishna cult and for example an Ostrobotnian evangelic movement really have so much difference in the end? I believe (Sic!) that Leap can be found intriguing by all the people who are interested in religion and human nature.

Viewers from the Hare Krishna movement were enthusiastic about the film. Even though it was made by an outsider, they felt that it was an impressive potrayal of their life. Someone from the audience were a bit confused about the fact that it wasn’t what he expected. His expectations were more in the line of critical reportage about addictions and problems in the movement. On the other hand someone had seen some criticism too. I believe that viewer is an intelligent creature and can make his or her own conclusions. I feel that the Leap gives an experience to everyone.

Now the film takes its leap to the world and starts its own independent life. Hopefully it provides the viewers, both the followers of the spiritual path and the followers of worldly path, with thoughts and experiences. The creator observes as the film detaches from it’s maker like a child and starts it’s own dialogue with the world.

Jouko Aaltonen
Director

- Graham Dwyer

I am very glad I came and I would like to congratulate you and and express my appreciation for this film. In my understanding it presents our movement and it feel good many people will see this. Thank you for all your input.

y.s jagat priya d.d

http://www.bhaktivedantamanor.co.uk/home/?p=5330

“Film does ISKCON great justice”

“It is an excellent film,” said Radha Mohan das, Communications Secretary of Bhaktivedanta Manor after viewing the premier of the film in Helsinki, “The camera work is creative, the footage is amazing and it’s great promotional material for ISKCON in general.”