Q&A
An Interview with the Filmmaker
Q: How long did it take you to capture the movie?
A: This epic adventure was 17 years, 53 countries, countless flights, three arrests, and two tribal attacks in the making.
Q: What have been your greatest joys in the process of making this film?
A: Definitely the amazing people we met and talked with. From Hindu Sadhus, Muslim Imams, Buddhist monks, Orthodox nuns, terrorists, and cannibals — we had such sincere and fascinating interactions that left me filled with hope about our shared human experiences.
Q: Of all the scrapes you got into in the movie, what was the most nerve-racking moment of filming?
A: The interview with the Afghani Al Quaeda terrorist was rather intense, but we actually ended up having a meaningful and emotional exchange that I think reveals a lot about how to bridge the divide between seemingly irreconcilable cultures.
Q: Of the hundreds of interviews you’ve done of all races and creeds, which interview moved you the most?
A: Well, I immediately fell in love with the Russian orthodox nun, so that was awkward. But she said some profound and moving things and we all came out of that interview changed people.
Q: Which interview surprised you the most?
A: The interview with the Hindu Sadhu in India that ritually ate human bodies. I thought he would be dark and scary, but he was actually very funny and quite wise.
Q: Some of the scenes are pretty intense. What was the scariest moment of the filming process?
A: That whole thing with the Haitian zombies got totally out of control. We didn’t even think that zombies were a real thing. No sooner do we learn that voodoo priests ritually zombify other people, and the next thing you know we are running for our lives in the middle of the night in northern Haiti. Go figure.
Q: Of the countless artifacts you have amassed in your museum of a den, which one is the most interesting to you?
A: A primitive axe designed by the Dani tribe of Papua to chop off fingers—not other people’s fingers, their own fingers. Long story…
Q: Would you recommend everyone take on a quest like this one?
A: While I think journeys of self-discovery are beneficial in general, the sheer amount of hardship, pain, terror, mischief, and confusion involved in this particular quest I wouldn’t wish on anyone. But I am glad we were able to capture it on film for the audience, though. We circumnavigated the globe so you don’t have to.
Q: After all this, do you now believe in God?
A: Well, if God exists he is certainly a clever devil that has crafted a frustratingly elegant mystery. Lucky for us, we were able to solve the whole shebang on our journey. So take that, God!
Q: In the epic battle of God vs man, after all you have seen and learned, who do you think won?
A: This movie is one big chess game with the Almighty. I was very confident at first and took some of God’s most valuable pieces early on. Towards the end, I started losing major ground but then began to question whether God was actually playing me at all. And if I wasn’t, I still don’t know who the hell I was playing.
Q: What type of effect do you hope this story has in the hearts and minds of the people who watch it?
A: The realization that while there are many different ways to live this life, we are all on the same human journey with relatable struggles and goals. The different world views we create to navigate this life have the ability to cause conflict, but also can also bring us together if we see each other through the lens of tolerance and understanding.
Q: What have initial reactions been like?
A: In one of the recent viewings, one sweet woman said that never in history has there been such a comprehensive survey of the human experience in one work of art. I’m not sure if that’s true, but it was very gratifying to hear someone felt that way. But I credit all the amazing people we encountered — we only filmed it.
Q: the film also covers some pretty shocking territory.
I never expected this movie to generate any controversy since everything in it is true to what happened, but we found that even spiritual people do and say some pretty outrageous things. And, of course, my filmmaking partner Chris is certifiably insane so there is no excuse for his antics in the film. Aside from that, I’m glad the movie is causing so much discussion.
Q: Would you do it again?
Hell no! Have you seen the film?! Would you want to go through all that again? But it seems people who watch it are very moved and it certainly causes a lot of thinking and introspection so it seems to have been worth it.