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About

What is consciousness? Is it in all living beings? What happens when we die? Why do we seem to be hardwired for mystical experience?

In these times of existential crisis, there has been an explosion of research into consciousness. After four centuries of silence, scientists are confronting the “Big Questions”, cutting a window into a realm previously held tight by philosophy and religion:

AWARE follows six brilliant researchers, approaching the greatest of all mysteries from radically different perspectives, from within and without: through high-tech brain research and Eastern meditation, by scientifically exploring inner space through psychedelic substances and by investigating the consciousness of plants. Scientists are arriving at new insights – some have been integral to Indigenous knowledge for millenia.

AWARE opens as a science film but emerges well beyond the explicable, ultimately leading one on a voyage upon the ocean of consciousness, a contemplative, sensual, cinematographic meditation. The networks of consciousness are reflected in 'grand' imagery revealing the vast interconnectedness of Nature - from the smallest organisms, to the world of plants and animals and on to the cosmos. It invites one to experience the awe and mystery of life as the researchers do, to dive in with them, returning to see the world anew, to review long-held beliefs and assumptions and initiate one’s own oceanic journey. Ultimately, to be aware one is aware.

Credits

With

Richard Boothby
Monica Gagliano
Roland R. Griffiths
Christof Koch
Josefa Kirvin Kulix
Matthieu Ricard

and
Mary Cosimano
Justine Fritz

Special Guest:
Mingyur Rinpoche

Director of Photography

Black

Editors

Franziska von Berlepsch
Rune Schweitzer

Music

Zoë Keating
Causeyoufair
David Hykes
Jörg Seibold

Sound Design

Niklas Kammertöns

Sound Mix

Martin Grube

Color Grading

Matthias Behrens

Consultant and Support

Sven Heußner

Line Producer

Brigit Mulders

Commissioning Editor ZDF/3sat

Nicole Baum

Consulting Producer ITVS

Noland Walker

Produced by Frauke Sandig Umbrella Films and Eric Black in co-production with Hanfgarn & Ufer Filmproduktion and ZDF/3sat. With funding from BKM, Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg GmbH, FFA, DFFF, the EVOLVE FOUNDATION, Alan Fournier and the Independent Television Service (ITVS) with funding provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Theatrical Distribution Germany: Piffl Medien GmbH
North America Distribution: Area 23a Films
Educational Distribution North America: Bullfrog Films