Stephen Simon’s Institute for Spiritual Cinema Takes Life

by Claire Krulikowski

Indigo, a film that was created by the joint efforts of James Twyman, Stephen Simon and Neale Donald Walsh, won the prestigious "Audience Choice Award" at the Santa Fe Film Festival in December. This was the only award that was voted on by the audiences themselves, in a festival that featured a total of 211 films, some of which had actors like Sean Penn, Ben Kingsley and Nicole Kidman. It was an amazing honor and an incredible way for Indigo to begin what will likely be a long life, inspiring millions with its message and inspirational story. When the Audience Choice Award was announced, the presenter made an amazing statement: "The Santa Fe Film Festival is honored to witness the creation of a new genre in film -- Spiritual Cinema."

The bold pronouncements and visions of Stephen Simon regarding Spiritual Cinema made during a public presentation at Ashland’s Southern Oregon University in October 2003 are being implemented and individuals are flocking to the endeavor.

Simon, producer of films including the newly released Indigo, as well as Somewhere in Time, What Dreams May Come, and many others, committed himself publicly that night to ensuring that what he’s termed "spiritual cinema" receives recognition within the film-making industry and in the public awareness as a powerful genre in its own right. By "recognition," Simon is referring to awareness and respect that translates into viable and successful creation: avenues for individuals to develop those projects, availability of production funding, cinematic training, a new organization to galvanize professionals seeking new projects.

Also during his SOU presentation, entitled "The Force Is With You" (the title of his book), Simon stated his intention to make Ashland the center of this spiritual cinema movement through the establishment of an Institute for Spiritual Entertainment (ISE) in the city. This non-profit 501C(3) has indeed been formed, with aims "to provide a venue for the development of artistic and creative works that inspire and ennoble the human spirit." Film, television, documentaries, educational training, or additional media that is even now emerging, as well as film festivals, workshops, and on-line courses all fall under its banner. Most surprising, during the presentation Simon pledged the institute would do for film – and for Ashland – what the Sundance Institute has done for independent filmmakers – and for Sundance.

Steps are being taken. Action has commenced. Volunteers are stepping forward and supportive organizations being formed. Donors are being sought. Land for the ISE will be a 2004 target if plans proceed accordingly. Simon believes there are individuals and organizations that would love to offer financial backing for media projects because they don’t like working in the politics of traditional Hollywood.

The film industry, as Simon explains in his book, traditionally lags behind mass consciousness; it doesn’t lead the way to change, but clings to tried-and-true formulas, even long after the publishing and music business has caught onto public sentiment. Thus, attempting to "pitch" projects out of the comfort zone isn’t easy and threatens the status quo. The Ashland audience’s robust laughter demonstrated appreciation for the humor-filled retrospective of stories this industry professional shared, including one recounting his 6-week long battle with movie execs over the use of the term "consciousness" in the script.

In such an atmosphere, it’s no wonder movies that walk a spiritual edge are only rarely produced. When they are, Simon points out, it’s often because execs view them under the guise of another genre, such as action-adventure, and overlook the spiritual content.

Simon’s movement is both local and international in scope and substance. Spiritual Cinema Communities (SCC), presently numbering over 60, have been forming. The local Ashland Spiritual Cinema Community (ASCC) was formed this past October.

Activities of each SCC are not centrally planned. Rather, each chapter is organized by the focus of the local members and stay in touch with International Coordinator, Celeste Pichette. Members of Ashland’s group, coordinated by Will Wilkinson, gathers on the second Wednesday of each month to view films with "intentional consciousness," and the screening is followed by lively discussion afterwards. Additional activities are in the formative stage.

Do others think Simon has a chance at success?  Too, what might the impact of the ISC be on the cities of southern Oregon, and, particularly, on Ashland? How might these inspiring efforts affect you? What’s certain even now, is that an unmasked and fully empowered spiritual cinema genre benefits more than those involved in creating those films; nor is the benefit merely entertainment for viewers. According to Simon, spiritual cinema asks two important questions: Who are we? Why are we here?

The true power then of an increased theater presence of films offering such messages is that mass consciousness will be more widely influenced to consider those two questions, as well as to begin considering a third: "What is it I am supposed to do?"

Freelance writer Claire Krulikowski is author of two books (Rapture, and Moonlight on the Ganga). She recently relocated from Washington to the Ashland-area. See her website at www.clairekrulikowski.com .