Sacred Rituals

Sacred Rituals
A Journey of Celebrations
Produced and Directed By Douglas Baloti Lawrence and edited by Shawn Dunn
Sacred Rituals is a seventy-three documentary exploring the way artistic forms are used in the celebration of inter-faith secular worship. In particular, it demonstrates examples of music, dance, singing/chanting, and the use of ceremonial dress. Important to the concept of this documentary is the display of content from both western and eastern-based religions including Catholicism, Afro-Centric, Native American celebrations, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and indigenous religions.

Rituals are done as rites to bring the participant closer to the real experience of worship both through a public and private experience. The rituals are often found in the form of a system of religious rites. While Sacred Rituals can be performed as private procedures or acts, the main focus of this documentary is to show them active in the collective process. The production is colorful, engaging and informative as it moves through just over 72 minutes.

The result for viewers is a heightened sense of being both entertained and informed. Taking viewers inside the practice of these standard rituals also helps make the viewer aware of how people celebrate and worship their personal belief in the divine.

Sacred Rituals was produced in High Definition and results in a high quality visual and audio display. The High Definition approach means viewers will appreciate the 16:9 format and storytellers approach to this documentary style. Sacred Rituals also includes interviews and actual footage of sacred rituals performed in various locations. The content is thus both narrative and descriptive. While a number of documentary approaches have focused on the philosophy of interfaith religions, the unique approach to this project is its focus on the actual rituals, ceremonies and celebrations of faith and worship.

About the Premiere:
I was raised Catholic, then discovered meditation and am now deeply appreciative of Hindu, Sufi, Jewish, and Catholic faiths. I sat watching your beautiful film, and as I looked around me I saw Catholic nuns, Hindus, Jews, and others all nodding, being moved by this vision of mutual respect and celebration, and it was like a lifelong dream come true.
Thank you for being a catalyst for that moment
David Zarko
Producing Artistic Director, The Northeast Theater
more info on this and music written and produced by Douglas Baloti Lawrence and Brightday Int. artists go to: www.BrightdayInt.com

Category:

Film & Animation