IMAGINARY HEROES

IMAGINARY HEROES deserves to draw an audience because of its breathtaking courage and sensitivity in bringing a controversial subject matter, suicide, to the screen and handle it with grace, and, ultimately hope and inspiration.

IMAGINARY HEROES, I believe, promotes great healing, catharsis, and hope for those who choose to see the film. This film can be a catalyst for deep understanding, hope, healing, and redemption for anyone who has ever been touched by such a tragedy—or knows someone who has.

The wonderful actors Sigourney Weaver and Jeff Daniels portray the parents of three young people, one of which is a superlative swimmer who has already set several state and national swimming records as he prepares for the next Olympics. On the outside, he is the epitome of someone on the brink of major achievement. Inwardly, however, he is tormented by his own silent demons and, in the first five minutes of the film, he takes his own life.

The film then takes us inside every parent’s worst nightmare—how do you cope with such a devastating event? How do you even live from day to day?

The devastation of those left behind can often be too much to bear and, as result, suicide is one of those taboos in film that very few people ever approach because of the quite understandable resistance most people have to even consider it. When, however, a film such as IMAGINARY HEROES can actually transcend that challenge and show us a way through the grief, then I believe it deserves a very special place in our hearts.

Even more amazing is that this extraordinary journey into healing was written and directed by a 25 year-old first time filmmaker named Dan Harris.

IMAGINARY HEROES is uncompromising in its depiction of the grief and sorrow for all concerned as it tastefully and honestly brings us inside the pain of the parents and the siblings left behind. The journey, although initially tragic DOES lead to something utterly beautiful and completely rewarding. By the end of the film, a pathway to healing has been illuminated. We are shown how people can indeed survive such an experience with their humanity and love for each other intact and, most importantly, with hope for their own sense of self and dignity.

I urge you to see IMAGINARY HEROES, a film with the ultimate message of true hope.

This Month's Spiritual Cinema Circle Films

THE LEGEND OF RAZORBACK

In a mythical time in a mythical town, a boy, lured by a bright red bicycle, enters a mysterious barber’s web, unclear as to the magic that awaits him. What develops is a relationship that fulfills both their destinies. A sweet film about courage, perseverance and the caring of a community. Written by Christopher Dodd. Directed by Michael Greenspan. 20 min.

NUIT D’ORAGE/STORMY NIGHT

In this beautifully animated story, a little girl and her dog brave a long, blustery night alone in her room in their house on a hill. As the storm rages outside, she begins to look within and asks questions about life, death and everything in between. These youthful queries are the same questions we continue to seek answers to as adults - questions that seem to come to us most clearly when we are alone, waiting out the storms of life. Written & Directed by Michèle Lemieux. 10 min.

BLACKWATER ELEGY

The death of a close mutual friend threatens the sanctity of the one place on earth where J.T. and Hollis, in their 70’s, feel most secure: their favorite fishing hole. A stark confession tests the boundaries of true friendship and a realization sparks the light of hope as they face the consequences of the choices they’ve made in life. Written by Matthew Porter. Directed by Joe O’Brien & Matthew Porter. 19 min.

A WALK OF WISDOM - Documentary

A Walk of Wisdom is a tribute to the people most affected by the tsunami that hit Southeast Asia in December 2004. Join Buddhist nun Mai Chee Sansanee, the spiritual leader of Thailand, as we discover her amazing background, her philosophy, her spirit and her belief in the ever-blooming potential of each human on the planet. As part of The Circle community, your membership supports her tsunami relief efforts, which focus on the long-term rehabilitation of survivors and the education and nurturing of Thailand’s orphaned children. Directed by Victoria Holt. 72 min. with some subtitles

BONUS: BEHIND THE “SEEN:” CONVERSATIONS WITH GOD

Explore the origins of The Circle’s premiere original production, Conversations With God with author Neale Donald Walsch, producer/director Stephen Simon, screenwriter Eric de la Barre, creative consultant Viki King, and cinematographer Joao Fernandes. 7 min.

For more information about the Spiritual Cinema Circle, click here.