NFB Collection
Mystical Brain
200652 min 15 secFilm: Documentary
Direction: Isabelle Raynauld
Production: Colette Loumède
Script: Isabelle Raynauld
Is it possible to shed light on the states of grace experienced by mystics and meditators? In Mystical Brain, the documentary filmmaker Isabelle Raynauld shows us the most recent discoveries of scientific research on this phenomenon.
Carmelite nuns and Buddhist monks agreed to be part of the experiment. I am certain that the Buddhist nature is somewhere in the brain, declares the Dalai Lama, the spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhism. The film shows us the exploratory work of a team from the Université de Montréal.
It seems that mystical ecstasy is a profoundly transformative experience and could contribute to people's psychic and bodily health, treat depression and speed up the healing process in patients who combine meditation with conventional medicine.
Isabelle Raynauld teaches film studies and is an experienced documentary filmmaker and well-known screenwriter. In French with English subtitles.
Availability
Other versions
Subject categories
- Psychology and Psychiatry > Brain and Nervous System
- Religion, Beliefs and Ethics > HealingHuman ConditionReligious Experiences
- Science > Biology
- Ethics and Religious Culture > Ethical ValuesReligious Diversity/Heritage
- Health/Personal Development > Mental Health/Stress/Suicide
Credits
- direction
- Isabelle Raynauld
- research
- Isabelle Raynauld
- script
- Isabelle Raynauld
- cinematography
- Peter Krieger
- additional cinematography
- Geoffroy Beauchemin
- sound
- Christian Bouchard
- Richard Lavoie
- additional sound
- Olivier Léger
- picture editing
- Dominique Sicotte
- sound editing
- Denis Saindon
- original music
- Luc Sicard
- soloist
- Marilyn Carnier
- production stills
- Alain Tremblay
- camera assistant
- Marc Larouche
- Philippe Tremblay
- production assistant
- Marc Larouche
- Philippe Tremblay
- participation
- Mario Beauregard
- Vincent Paquette
- Daniel C. Dennett
- Maria Regina De Albuquerque Melo
- Esther M. Sternberg
- Gilles Bédard
- Richard J. Davidson
- William Grassie
- Susan Klunder
- Antoine Lutz
- Andrew Newberg
- Michael A. Persinger
- Matthieu Ricard
- Linda Saint-Pierre
- Jeffrey Schwartz
- Philippe Tremblay
- Wolfgang Achtner
- Michael J. Anderle
- Vanessa Anseloni
- Peatra Babe
- Nicolescu Basarab
- Andrea Dinndorf
- Neil Fournier
- Carollyn Hurst
- Sybille Lepper
- Johanne Lévesque
- Zachary Moran
- Gabriella Musaccha
- Clayton Naff
- Jack Nitschhe
- Marc Pouliot
- Manon Robert
- Thoudam D Singh
- John Teske
- Alex Thomas
- Mlle Tourbe
- technical support - editing
- Danielle Raymond
- on-line
- Sylvain Desbiens
- Denis Pilon
- Denis Gathelier
- infographics
- Louise Overy
- titles
- Louise Overy
- translation
- Christine York
- subtitles
- Christine York
- foley
- Vital Millette
- foley recording
- Geoffrey Mitchell
- re-recording
- Luc Léger
- archival research
- Claire Bourbonnais
- Elizabeth Klinck
- rights clearances
- Claire Bourbonnais
- Elizabeth Klinck
- consultant
- Michel Seymour
- Bernard Brais
- distribution officer
- François Jacques
- administrator
- Manon Provencher
- administrative staff
- Dominique Brunet
- Nathalie Cloutier
- technical coordinator
- Richard Cliche
- line production
- Christiane Germain
- line producer - assistant
- Maryse Chapdelaine
- production
- Colette Loumède
Awards
- Best Documentary: Nature and SciencePrix Gémeaux