TRIBECA 2010: AMERICAN MYSTIC

In Alex Mar's documentary AMERICAN MYSTIC, three so called alternative or non-traditional faiths are observed. I say so called, as I feel that especially with the Paganism and the Lakota Sioux tribal beliefs that these spiritual practices are more so ancient beliefs lost, forgotten and disregarded by a nation mainly fueled by the bible belt. But I digress for I don't want to turn this review into a political and social argument for why something is considered controversial or sacrilegious, why something works or doesn't etc. etc.. Mar's film thankfully shies away from this approach and instead what she gives us are three distinct portraits of young Americans.

Kublai has grown up in the Church of Spiritualism and Healing in upstate New York. Though his large, husky frame, and chopped dreads might not give it away, his gentle eyes are telling of his training in becoming a spiritual medium within his church.
Chuck is of the Lakota tribe hailing from South Dakota. A sundancer, and participant in the sweat lodge, he is friends with a medicine man. Chuck and his young family split their time between city life in Grand Rapids and their visits to Thunder Valley for ceremonies and gatherings.
As a teenager, the fiery haired, Morpheus was changed after the Santa Cruz earthquake of '89. Living on her husband's family land, she is a witch, practicing the traditions of Fairy, who see themselves as equals to the gods; in direct, harmonious communication.

Mar's film is lyrical, drenched in a purely American atmosphere of rural and rustic wonders and meditations. Her directorial hand is, at most, subtle; she gives the utmost regard for her subject's extracted lifestyle, but nothing feels forced or generally shaped to fit an agenda. It is not uniformly informative either, opting out of any talking heads or experts chiming in or rounding out the faith's histories or current climates. All we know is from what we witness in these quietly unfolding tales.

Cutting back and forth between stories we see similar threads start to emerge across all three.
There is a daily struggle in keeping one's faith in lieu of more mainstream distractions, and societal necessities such as work. Chuck, his wife and young daughter live mainly off of coupons, food stamps and housing program support. His skill at metal craft work is not enough to help elevate him outside of minimum wage.
Kublai works as a farm hand, and though he is close to nature, finding a deep intrinsic communion with the horses, he questions his use of energy and time there, though he never complains.
And that is one of the most touching aspects to AMERICAN MYSTIC; this genuine regard for people and love all three stories exude. Visiting his younger brother in prison, Chuck tells us that no one is a bad person, that everyone is good, sometimes good people make hurtful choices.He himself struggled with substance abuse as a teenager.
Earlier in the picture he talks of the sacred nature of babies, of how in many other faiths, coming into this world, babies are considered sinful. But for the Lakota they are sacred because of that soft spot on top of their heads where they still have direct access to the spirit world.
In a moment of jovial reflection, signifying his youth, Kublai says that all the happiness he feels, he'd like to somehow try and bottle that and sell it.
Upon returning from her fall time ceremonies with the spirit world, Morpheus states, " In many ways we are only limited by our courage."

These may be well known truths, but they are simple truths, and these people have come to them on their own terms, embracing themselves even in times of doubt.
As I stepped out of the theater and into a neighborhood of posh shops and restaurants, endless urban cross frequencies, wealth hiding behind industrial derelicts, I couldn't help but feel a great gratitude swelling in me towards the people I had just seen up on screen. 


AMERICAN MYSTIC screens at the Tribeca Film Festival in competition in the World Documentary selection. More information and showtimes can be found in the below link.