Fantastic Fungi
(2019)
When so many are struggling for connection, inspiration and hope, Fantastic Fungi brings us together as interconnected creators of our world.
Fantastic Fungi, directed by Louie Schwartzberg, is a consciousness-shifting film that takes us on an immersive journey through time and scale into the magical earth beneath our feet, an underground network that can heal and save our planet. Through the eyes of renowned scientists and mycologists like Paul Stamets, best-selling authors Michael Pollan, Eugenia Bone, Andrew Weil and others, we become aware of the beauty, intelligence and solutions the fungi kingdom offers us in response to some of our most pressing medical, therapeutic, and environmental challenges.
A New Understanding (2019)
A New Understanding explores the treatment of end-of-life anxiety in terminally ill cancer patients using psilocybin, a psychoactive compound found in some mushrooms, to facilitate deeply spiritual experiences. The documentary explores the confluence of science and spirituality in the first psychedelic research studies since the 1970s with terminally ill patients. As a society we devote a great deal of attention to treating cancer, but very little to treating the human being who is dying of cancer. The recent resurgence of psychedelic research is once again revealing the power of compounds like psilocybin to profoundly alter our understanding of both life and death. Through the eyes of patients, their loved ones, therapists, and researchers, A New Understanding examines the use of psilocybin in a controlled setting to reduce psychospiritual anxiety, depression, and physical pain. The treatment aims to help the patient understand that a ‘good’ death is possible, and to help the patient’s family deal well with the dying process. A New Understanding shows patients and their families coming to terms with dying through the skillful treatment of the whole human being. If we can learn to work more skillfully with dying, we will also learn to take better care of life
A Psychedelia (2020)
Psychedelia is an engaging film directed by Pat Murphy that chronicles scientific research studies showcasing promising medical breakthroughs. With first-person accounts from patients with end-of-life anxiety, this work explores the profound and life-altering insights psychedelics induce in participants, and the potential impact psychedelics hold for humanity. Synthesis recently screened the film followed by an expert panel discussion so we encourage you to watch the panel recording here.
Tawai: A Voice from the forest (2017)
From Borneo’s ancient rainforest to the remote Isle of Skye, the film Tawai is a quest for reconnection to explore the different ways that humans relate to nature and how this influences the way we form our societies. English documentarian, indigenous rights advocate and explorer Bruce Parry (BBC’s Tribe, Amazon & Arctic) embarks on an immersive odyssey that gives a voice to the heart of the forest itself.
Dosed (2019)
Dosed offers a hard-hitting perspective on addiction when Adrienne turns to psychedelic healers after years of a prescription medicine opioid addiction and suicidal thoughts. Directed by Tyler Chandler, the film has an expansive potential as a force for good, and will certainly resonate with those who have experienced addiction.
