Aware: Glimpses of Consciousness Documentary - London Premiere & Interview with Directors & researcher in Evolutionary Ecology Monica Gagliano

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.

The Psychedelic Society and Umbrella Films proudly announce the LONDON PREMIERE OF “AWARE”

Saturday 21st May 13:00-15:30 at Genesis Cinema

Join us for a live post-screening discussion with Directors Frauke Sandig & Eric Black, joined by Monica Gagliano, Professor of Plant Behavior & Cognition, University of Sydney.

After the discussion you can eat, drink and unwind in Genesis's outdoor dining area, The Yard. Indulge in a delicious stonebaked pizzas, relax with a classic Genesis cocktail or just grab a quick pint in the sun. The Yard is sheltered and heated so you can stay warm and dry while hanging out with The Psychedelic Society community.

“The most moving and beautiful depiction of deep understanding of consciousness and of who we are that I have seen depicted through film.” – Jack Kornfield, author and Buddhist teacher

“Stirs feelings of awe and wonder, humility and connection. A remarkable film.” – Valerie Kalfrin, Alliance of Women Film Journalists

“Consciousness-elevating food for thought.” – Michael Rechtshaffen, Los Angeles Times

“Stunningly deep, wise and visually arresting, the most mind-blowing Film the Maui Film Festival has presented in twenty years!” – Barry Rivers, Maui Film Festival Founder/Director

“For a long time, consciousness was a dirty word in science. It was a very strange thing to happen, that the very core of humanity should become taboo to the very people who are meant to be researching it, for what indeed can be more important than unravelling our innermost being and following the ancient maxim of ‘Know thyself’.
This marvellous film does a remarkable job of bringing together researchers from multiple disciplines, including my own field of psychedelic research, as they attempt to discover a little more about conscious experience and what it means to be aware.”
– Amanda Feilding, The Beckley Foundation

100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes!

Frauke Sandig & Eric Black

AWARE is the 4th collaboration between Eric Black and Frauke Sandig. Previous work together includes the feature length documentaries:
HEART OF SKY, HEART OF EARTH, 2011, 15 awards including 1st Prize Planet in Focus FF, 115 film festivals, including IDFA, DokLeipzig, Opening Film Muestra de Cine Internacional Memoria Verdad Justicia Guatemala 2012.
FROZEN ANGELS, 2005, Sundance FF. Audience Award at Visions du Réel, Nyon, Prix de Cinephage Creteil, Special Jury Mention at FICCO, selected by DokLeipzig, HotDocs, Mill Valley, Sheffield, Vancouver IFF, Sydney FF and many others.
AFTER THE FALL, 2000, Berlinale, German Camera Prize, Golden Gate Award at San Francisco IFF; 42 festivals, including IDFA, Karlovy Vary
www.umbrellafilms.org, https://aware-film.com, www.heart-of-sky.com

Monica Gagliano

Monica Gagliano PhD is an internationally award-winning research scientist, selected by Biohabitats as one of the 24 most Inspiring Women of Ecology, together with Jane Goodall, Rachel Carson, Sylvia Earl, and Terry Tempest Williams. She has been an invited lecturer at the most prestigious universities, including UC Berkeley, Stanford, Harvard, Dartmouth and Georgetown. Monica’s pioneering work has been widely featured by prominent media, such as The New York Times, Forbes, The New Yorker, The Guardian, National Geographic, and many others.

Monica is a Research Associate Professor of evolutionary ecology currently based at Southern Cross University where she directs the Biological Intelligence (BI) Lab as part of the Diverse Intelligences Initiative of the Templeton World Charity Foundation. Inspired by encounters with nature and indigenous elders from around the world, Monica applies an innovative and holistic approach to science.one that is progressive because it is comfortable engaging at the interface between areas as diverse as ecology, physics, law, anthropology, philosophy, literature, music, the arts, and spirituality. By re-kindling a sense of wonder for the beautiful place we call home, she is helping to create a new ecology of mind that inspires the emergence of revolutionary solutions toward human interactions with the world we co-inhabit. Monica’s studies have led her to author numerous ground-breaking scientific articles and books, including Thus Spoke the Plant (2018) and The Mind of Plants (2021). Her latest project is Resonant Earth, a new research initiative for acoustically-assisted planetary regeneration through the direct engagement with, and listening to, all sources of wisdom derived from humans, plants, and the land.

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