New documentary examines, what does it all mean?

The Nature of Existence
A film by Roger Nygard

It’s not in our mission statement to ever approach the subject of God, existence, faith, beliefs or anything to do with religion.

Nevertheless, the producers of this documentary sent us a promotional DVD of a new film made by Roger Nygard, whose previous work was about that subculture who adore everything to do with the TV series/movies of “Star Trek,” called “Trekkies.” How could he top that one? we wondered. After all, to most people, religion is a very serious business.

If you don’t think so, wait until your engine quits on you at 13,000 feet, as it did to us once (forgot to switch tanks). Suddenly, you get very religious. And is there an aviator alive who has not been astounded by some of the wonders seen from two miles up and not been the least bit curious as to how it all got here and what’s the meaning of it all?

That was Nygard’s quest, not to promulgate a particular belief system - he never mentions his own background - but to travel around the country, then the world, and speak to common people, priests, rabbis, ministers, psychologists, psychics, astrophysicists (one of whom proved we don’t exist at all), Druids, fakirs and gurus of every known and dozens of unknown religions. Looking and sounding vaguely like a young Billy Crystal and with that same impertinent sense of humor, Nygard manages to elicit from just about everyone the true reason for their faith, explain its tenets; some, to an American - definitely weird.

Did we mention it was also very funny? Here are some of the questions he put to these folks: Is there a God? Is there a soul and if so, where did it come from and where does it go after death? Why is God so smitten with sex? Is it okay to masturbate? What’s the difference between faith and spirituality? What is the point of it all?

One of the most eloquent interviewees, who’d obviously given the matter a lot of thought, was a perky, blonde seventh grade girl named Chloe Slattery, daughter of aviation photographer Chad Slattery. Keep your eye on her, she’ll be President or Pope someday, even though she’s an atheist. (The Pope was willing to talk to Nygard for 20 minutes, but the price would be $20,000. He passed.)

The producers called the film a “humorous and uplifting junket” and it is. You’ll find yourself laughing out loud on occasion. It also reveals there are almost as as many beliefs as there are believers.But, except for a few notable exceptions, most everyone is in general agreement on the best way to behave.

From there, however, humans take off on wild tangents of metaphysical thought and actions, all the while being sanguine about what happens next. In short, it was the most entertaining, illuminating and humorous 94 minutes I’ve enjoyed in years. Since, maybe, “Trekkies.”

The film opened in LA on July 2 at the Sunset 5 Theater.

Check their website at www.theNatureOfExistance.com to learn more.

- Wayman Dunlap