Review: At first I sat down with this film thinking it was a biopic.  It is instead one half a journey piece, as the film travels with Amma across India-including Kochi, Jaipur, and Calcutta.,  It is also one half a tribute piece.  There is no doubt that the filmmaker, Jan Kounen, wants to showcase Amma as an advocate of peace and love, and as someone who is greatly loved in return by her devotees, including Kounen. The enigmatic Amma is one of the most famous gurus in India, known for giving hugs as her blessing, basically to anyone in arms reach.  Her ashram, set on a hill with a gorgeous view of lush Kerala, houses and feeds devotees who have lived there for years, as well as busloads of visitors.  Life is simple, spiritual, and selfless.  The cinematography is well done-at times giving sweeping scenes of the country, or taking an impressive high angle shot of an entire gathering for Amma.  Other times, it is kept simple, focusing on Amma and the interactions between her and the people who have come to see her. She is almost always greeted with awe, tears, If you are not familiar with areas of India, the film does not always do a great job of explaining the setting, and can get a little confusing, since the setting changes quite often as they travel across the country.  The visuals are interesting enough that it isn't really that bothersome-it's quite easy to let oneself get lost in the images of the rituals and of the different landscapes of India.  However, as the type of viewer who likes to know exactly what is going at all times, I was frustrated at certain parts. Interviews and voiceovers with Amma are not too frequent, but her positive energy is almost immediately perceptible.  Unfortunately, the interviews do not go in depth about Amma's philosophies about societal issues, and solutions.  But to see the infectious power that overtakes many the second she enters a room to give darshan, which means sight in Sanskrit, offers the explanation that the human need for religion-something to believe in-is what makes her presence so effective.  The thought of cult behavior crossed my mind during certain scenes, but that an opposing point of view given no discussion in this film. This film's message is hopeful, and at times it doesn't seem so much about Amma, but about what she represents to people. Her mere presence, a few spoken words, and her darshan provide affirmation to thousands that the human spirit is full of love and compassion.   
Review by Mona Yeh
 
Informative: 3-A detailed look into Amma's work and her life, but I was still left wanting a little bit more back-story and explanation about this woman, and about her mission. Most certainly a biased profile.
Entertainment: 3-The different landscapes and monuments of India combined with good camera work make this very nice to look at.  Interviews could be more in-depth, and could give more of a back bone to Amma's story.  
Technical: 4-The cinematography is deliberately and artistically executed, making the best use of the spaces often crowded shoulder-to-shoulder with visitors to the ashram.
Overall: 4-Obviously a personal piece for the filmmaker, this is not just a story of a woman, but the celebration of her. I myself am now intrigued and will most certainly find a way to see Amma the next time I find myself in India.  Not as deep or informative as I was hoping, but moving and inspiring all the same.
 
Format: DVD
Year: 2005
Running Time: 106 minutes
Distributor: Wellspring Media
Producer: Manuel De La Roche and Tristan Frachon
Director: Jan Kounen
Date Reviewed: 10-1-2009

Story: Darshan follows Amma, affectionately known as The Hugging Saint, a famous Mahatma whose ashram in the state of Kerala, India, attracts hundreds of devoted followers, as well as curious tourists everyday.  French filmmaker Jan Kounen follows Amma as she travels across India to spread the word of peace, and to give hugs to all.