User Reviews

This is a smörgåsbord of various belief sets. It's entertaining and funny. There are some very quotable quotes and some that are rather less so. It's very rapid fire which I did have a problem with – I prefer more of an interview style. But the pay-off is the wide diversity of religions presented. He travels the U.S. in search of answers and continues this in China and India (which is a real blast!). He does drop by briefly in Jerusalem and Italy to pick up a few tidbits.

I will probably watch it again at a later date for some more insights, because there are so many prophets, soothsayers, preachers, gurus spouting there little pearls of wisdom that I may indeed get a revelation (but I doubt it!)

I'm getting older, and the older I get the more I'm thinking about what life is all about, because if all it's about are the lousy dates I've been going on lately, well...what a rip off.

I saw this documentary at a film festival in Pennsylvania last year, to be honest...I thought we bought tickets to another film and when I saw it was a documentary I nearly jumped up and ran out, but because we were seated in the middle of a populated row and running out was going to be a problem I thought I'd tough it out...my patience was rewarded.

My first thought on a film about why we exist was DRY, perhaps the term BORING jumped to mind, but this was neither. This film is totally funny (let me just say this - Christian WRESTLERS, need I say more? Entire marketing campaigns have been mounted on less interesting items), breezy, and a lot of fun to watch. I'm a bit of a social butterfly, I have to tell you, and this film has given me lots of ammo to bring up at dinner parties. I'm telling you that here and now, but at these parties I'm claiming all the witty and well read ideas as my own...you will too, admit it.

The director is also the narrator, and if there was one note I'd like to pass along to him - don't star in any future endeavors...seriously, holy cow, he was like a creepy guy who hangs out near schools only here he was traveling around the world asking people about God, The After Life, and Masturbation...seriously...that's brought up. He teams up at one point with this Holy Roller who preaches on college campuses, the things that come out of his mouth are jaw dropping...and yet totally quotable. The real laugh is I'm fairly certain I saw this guy on my campus as a kid - hello Mr. Creepy and Mr. Evangelist, may I scream now?

All that aside, the film is ultimately a sincerely brilliant experience, well edited, and somewhat of a happy cinema going accident for me. The next time I get some vacation time together from the job I'm going to India to study with this Spiritual Leader there who appears in the film...he's so...I dunno, he seems like he'd be a hoot to meditate with...oh, and there's this other guru named AHA, he's not much to look at...but he's got a lot to say that's worth listening too. If I ever meet him, I have some wisdom to pass along to him - it's one word - aerobics.

I wouldn't even review this film here really, because of seeing it at a festival I figure no one would ever get the chance to see it - but I just saw the trailer on the APPLE site, and heard it's going to be playing a few blocks away from where I live here in NYC...which is great, but now everyone's going to be hip to my deep thoughts at my next dinner party.

What happens when a dumb person tries to make a movie about complex questions? You're looking at it.

There's nothing to be gained from watching this. Nygard gathers tiny sound bytes from hundreds of people ranging from priests to his screenwriter buddy to some mentally unstable dude who shouts things at strangers on the street, then pastes them together, thinking complete incoherence will somehow add up to something profound.

Instead, you get meaningless, obvious conclusions that have less to say than those "Coexist" bumper stickers. We all need love and faith of some kind in our lives? Really? That's a profound thought? Nygard emerges as a self-promoting dim-wit, who manages to awkwardly shoehorn himself into every scene. He clearly wants to be the next Michael Moore/Morgan Spurlock, but lacks the intelligence or humor to pull it off. Total waste of time.

"To be, or not to be: that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And by opposing end them? To die: to sleep; No more;" - William Shakespeare

Well, "The Nature of Existence (2010 documentary)" is quite befuddling and that it is not a dissertation on existence as much is a survey on obscure and flamboyant religions. Two-thirds of this presentation could probably have been cut out unless of course those just having to be the two thirds that you were looking for. I suspect that the presenter Roger Nygard was using this documentary as a way to pay for his vacation.

The drawback in this presentation like many today is that it is a sound bite snippet format as we bounce back and forth between different people in various locations with different agendas as they get to speak one sentence at a time versus one person in one location with one agenda completing one thought.

I was particularly interested in the interview with the Paiute Tribe. As a kid, I was always fascinated by Native American creation stories.

I do not mean to make this presentation appear flippant; if you pay attention to some of the questions and answers you may find some insights into "the nature of existence."

The Nature of Existence is great documentary film-making. It is exhaustive in its scope, presented in a very objective manner and leaves the viewer wanting more.

Mr. Nygard does not delve into each philosophy in great detail as he is constrained by the length of a feature film. He does, however, give enough depth that you can begin to understand the basis of the religions he covers. His interviews give a very personal and individual viewpoint that really set a sort of indelible imprint which you take away with you and are likely to think of days after.

At no time does he minimize or ridicule these belief systems, and with at least a couple that would be very easy to do. You get the sense he is on a journey and is genuinely interested in hearing what people have to say. Most importantly, the Nature of Existence brings to light certain commonalities of religions, showing that if people would actually take a little time to learn and understand what their fellow neighbors on this planet believe there might be more tolerance of each other.

I loved this film. I took my mother , who is a staunch Catholic and it was a good way to introduce her to the fact that there are many paths to Spirituality. Why are we Here? Why do we exist? How were we created? This movie tackles the array of possibilities that attempt to give answers to those questions. I personally feel that it's all answered in the end of the film. However, I saw it with my mom & she came up with a totally different answer - that she adamantly feels that the movie totally supports! There are not many documentaries that can do this - that can really appeal to people with totally opposing viewpoints. I guess this is one of them. So, I highly recommend it to everyone and then have dinner afterward & hash it all out!!

While the title and synopsis sound very intriguing, Nygard fails to deliver on this one. The viewer is taken on a narcissistic personal journey of the filmmaker that yields very little substantial information. Sure, there are a lot of strange people and odd opinions paraded in front of you, but they all amount to mere sound bites. Just when you think Nygard has uncovered something interesting and you anxiously await more, he cuts away to a completely different sound bite, and he does this quite often throughout the film. It becomes annoying and leaves one to wonder if the best parts of the film were left on the cutting room floor. Another problem for me was the absence of African religions, whether in Africa or in Cuba, Haiti, or Brazil. Steven Hawking had no interest in this film and neither do I. I tried and tried (I watched it twice) but I just couldn't like this movie.

I studied comparative religion in college. I can honestly say this is the most thought-provoking and entertaining film on religion and existence that I have ever watched. A film with this level of intelligence and insight does not come around very often, so I would certainly suggest making time to see it during its limited run in the theaters - if it's playing anywhere near you. I got lucky , since the director was doing a screening at my school. I just saw the website and it's actually interactive! I loved that the director included many different religions such as Islam,Christianity, Satanists, Buddhists- everyone. He also included Richard Dawkins and some Pagan-types as well. I think this film will inspire more filmmakers to go out and create important and thoughtful films.

I saw a special screening of this film last night in Professor Richard Brown's Film 101 Class. Professor Brown introduced Roger Nygard as ,"…a film maker , artist and storyteller…a unique talent…one who is important to listen to." I must say that Professor Brown was indeed correct. This film turned out to be quite an ambitious attempt to give insight to the question of why we exist. The questions that Nygard tackles are too numerous to mention, but he did say that they were all listed on the film's website. When first reading the questions, it's easy to understand how people might think that this is an extremely heavy and serious film. Although the questions & answers show incredible depth & insight – many of the answers are extremely and surprisingly funny ! I genuinely had some of the biggest laughs that I've had in a long time. I really hope that this film does well in the theaters and has an extended run in all the cities that it's playing in. This type of film is really the kind of film that should be experienced with a group of your best friends, followed by a visit to the local diner . Order lots of coffee to prep yourself for some of the most stimulating & engaging conversations that you've had in long time.

I loved this documentary. I saw it at a film festival last year and am so excited to get all my friends and family to attend.

The documentary is a humorous but not mocking, earnest attempt to answer unanswerable questions.The questions are simple, but have profound implications on both ancient and modern belief systems, morality, laws, politics and religion. There are as many answers to these questions as there are respondents. Some are quite interesting or sincere while others are just nuts!!

Overall, its a must see movie to start our own discussions about what IS the Nature of Existence! What is our purpose and all those other intriguing questions that sometimes get lost in the everyday motions of life.

It was hard to take this documentary series as an exploration of a question. The film maker biases himself from the outset. Christianity (his native religion) is represented only by wrestlers, back-woods ministers, a crazed lunatic, and very only crusty men. Other religions are represented by sincere but folksy types who boarder on primitive. Atheism is represented by extremely friendly and socially well-adjusted supra-geniuses.

Were no authors from the Christian best seller's list available? Are no Buddhists or Muslims teaching in universities? And most noticeably missing, the Atheists I grew up with Texas trailer parks ranting, "There ain't no God, that's why I steal and kill." I do not think this was intentional on the filmmakers part. I think he subconsciously sought the answer he was already desiring...."Whatever the nature of existence is, it is certainly not offered by the church, it is doubtfully possible that some other religion offers it, but science gives us the best hope."

I went to a small screening with a bunch of spiritually minded people to see "nature of existence." It's not the kind of gathering I usually find myself in...but went because I was a fan of Roger Nygard's first film, Trekkies.

I was not disappointed. First of all, the spiritually minded group, with the exception of one lady with an ax to grind, TOTALLY rose to the challenge of a movie that is PROFOUNDLY INTERESTING SPIRITUALLY and very funny at the same time.

This is as engaging an hour and a half as you could spend. And what makes the movie work for me...and what's really unique among documentaries of this type is this one is not condescending in the least...and Roger Nygard, who appears in his own movie isn't smug about any of these experiences. If you showed this film in your high school class you'd be everyone's favorite teacher.

I never thought you could make this stuff interesting...and human. But this movie does. I'm actually thinking of buying a copy.

This was an eye-opening, uplifting film. And despite the polarizing and controversial topic, it was surprisingly lighthearted and dare I say fun. I think this is because the director made it personal. You feel like you're on a road trip with him, just sitting down and chatting with a bunch of people that are really interesting (and some quite bizarre). Frankly, I'm amazed at the openness and honesty of the interviewees. Nygard must have a real knack for making people feel comfortable and unthreatened. Also, I was impressed by the balanced portrayal of all religions, with no trace of agenda or mockery. This is a film that can build bridges and open dialogue between people of varying viewpoints.

"The Nature of Existence" is more than the title of this film, it is a question which we should all ponder with sincerity at some point in our lives.

Having myself spent quite a bit of time pondering such existential questions, I found it very rewarding to see these highlights presented on film by a man on a similar quest, who unlike me, had the resources and willingness to travel all over the world in search of answers.

There are many things in this film, including irony and humor yet throughout, it remains clear that the director's quest is sincere. He really is looking for answers to these burning philosophical questions. This sincerity, I think, is contagious.

I was impressed by how many insights there were, from in some cases surprising sources.

Personally I found the most memorable quote from the entire movie to have been from a Yogi in India who stated: "By accepting our suffering, we defeat it!" That quote just really sticks with me. I think is a diamond, and I will never forget it.

If you watch this film and are able to take away from it even just one thing which can help your life, as I did, then it will not have been time wasted; it will have been some of the best 90 minutes you could ever have spent.

Is there some grand, eloquent meaning and purpose to life? Or is it all just about sex and chocolate? This new documentary certainly does not provide any unswerving answers...except for the realization that, no matter how strongly one person may believe in their own solutions to these questions, there is someone else out there who will just as confidently and definitely contradict him.

Director Roger Nygard spent many years traveling the US and "hot spots" around the world interviewing experts and, well, not experts, to see what they had to say about the most unanswerable challenges of human existence. Is there a God? What happens when you die? What is morality? Why does any of it matter? From the little girl who lives next door to a conservative Jewish Rabi in Israel to a Druid priest and many physicists and "God experts", the answers are sometimes funny, sometimes provocative, and sometimes a little scary. And which ones you think fall into which categories will probably depend on what you already think the correct answers are. Especially on the whole "God" question level.

What I really loved about this DVD is that Nygard never tries to wrap things up in a nutshell. Hundreds of hours of interviews are simply edited together so that there is a back-and-forth and a flow to the conversation, tied together with his own quirky narration of how confusing it all is or where he's going to try for answers next.

As a woman in the middle of my own existential crisis, I thought the whole conversation was thrilling. Most of us grow up learning one set of ideals. Usually the ones held by our parents and the community we live in. Some of those teachings can be invasive and touch on every fiber of every decision we make. Others are pretty vague, as Carrie Bradshaw says, "I went to the church of be nice to others and chew with your mouth closed." But to be able to stand aside from what we feel is "right" and "true"--especially the TRUE part--and ponder another perspective, is absolutely vital. A few good solid "what ifs" never hurt anyone. If you find everything you cherish totally upended, well, maybe you were not on such solid footing to begin with.

I'm not promising that this DVD will rock your world, but I hope it will make you think. No matter what side of things you stand on, you are going to hear from those who take exactly the opposite view. Listen to them. Take a minute to hear things from the other side. Open your thought. Open your heart. There's a big world out there and millions of people churn around in it. Taking 90 minutes to hear what some of them have to say about the biggest questions of life may just be some good, rich chocolate for your soul.

According to one of the men interviewed, chocolate is the purpose of life. Sounds like a good first step to me!!

(from my blog "Chocolate Media")

First, my apologies, English is my second language. I just moved to Los Angeles to live with my cousin. He's taking me to see this movie for special showing,so spectacular!! In my country, never I have seen a movie can ask such difficult questions and get honest and real answer from everybody. This filmmaker is very brave, and he's even asking tough questions from man on FBI terrorist most watched list!! How can someone be so smart to making this kind of film? The film let me see all of the different kinds of culture and beliefs of USA and other countries also. I'm seeing for the first time, Christian Wrestling and also for the first time, I see the women who say they are having THREE EYES in their head!! So funny. Also, they show man who worships the Devil. In my country, this man would be going to stoning in the village. I liking what I seeing in this movie!! It was making me laugh and also making me think hard about why I am here in this country, for making my life mean something and I will give it meaning!

Roger Nygard, a smart, talented filmmaker who has given us fun documentaries in the past, delivers his best film to date. The Nature of Existence is fast moving, hilarious, sharp, film about the meaning of life. If anyone can make an enjoyable film about a personal and controversial topic as religion, is Mr. Nygard. He gives everyone a chance to voice their opinion without judgment and he himself seems to have learned something while making this film. Although the film is hilarious, it is also a personal journey about finding "what it all means." Laughed from the beginning to the end but also leaves you thinking... Thoroughly enjoyed the film and recommend it to all who ever asked "why?"!

"The Hitch Hiker's Guide To The Galaxy" was a quest for THE answer to everything. This intelligent, thought-provoking and witty documentary provides many answers that at first make about as much sense as Douglas Adams' "42" because they come at you so quickly. Almost as quickly though, the viewer realizes that posing big, probing questions is key to moving forward, both in life and on the screen. Filmmaker Nygard's double role as tour guide and tourist is never self-serving. His impish approach to philosophy, science and religion as three sides to the same multi-dimensional coin is essential to the film's success. It's corny to say this, but when the film is over, you want to meet him for a friendly chat over some pancakes (reference explained in the film's opening sequence). An obvious choice for Best Documentary because of its scope and all it gives you to ponder on the way to the exit (figuratively and metaphorically). The film itself is a fast-paced 96 minutes that whets your appetite for a forthcoming, mind-blowing 7 DVD set. A digital equivalent of an encyclopedia to spark the search for knowledge even in a high-school drop-out. Just when it seems that cable TV's Discovery, National Geographic and History Channels are morphing into network "reality shows," this is the right film at the right time.

The latest documentary from the director of Trekkies pulls together a cornucopia of intellectuals, philosophers, astrophysicists, spiritual leaders, Christian drag racers and seven year old atheists pondering what it means to be human and exist in today's day and age. With a tremendous amount of insight, trademark humor and no holds barred (at one point Nygard tells a subject "Don't bulls%*t me!") approach to interviews, Nygard leaves no stone unturned.

He takes us on a global journey searching for the answer, interpretations and insights on what it means to be human, but really provokes more questions and though from the viewer. Entertaining, thought provoking,and truly unique, this film is not to be missed.

"Every mystery of human existence…explained in one movie!" proclaims the film's poster advertisement. This film certainly asks many questions about the existence of humans, but doesn't provide any solid answers — a plethora of opinions, but no answers. It is the film equivalent of the world religions class I took at Santa Barbara City College.

Roger Nygard, the film's 'creator' (pun-intended), is experiencing a sort of mid-life existential crisis; instead of enrolling in the city college class, he has the luxury of traveling the world to ask adherents of each religion the questions you could find in a textbook or google. Evangelists, Mormons, Jews, Christians, Druids, Taoists, Buddhists, Hindus, etc. are given the chance to stand on their very own soapbox to proclaim their deeply held beliefs.

Although this film seems to hold a slightly cynical perspective, it does not provide an answer. Although Nygard appears to be open and curious to other ways of living and believing, the editing of the movie tends to poke fun of the interviewees. I found myself laughing along with the others in the theatre, but I suppose I had some slight guilt about it, or felt that perhaps Mister Nygard should have some slight guilt about it. Everyone interviewed spoke with the utmost sincerity and passion concerning their viewpoints on the world and religion. I can't speak for them, but many of these people may not have agreed to speak if they knew about the atheist agenda of mocking other's beliefs. Atheists are capable of being just as militant in their convictions of non-religion as any practicing religion.

Perhaps it is unfair of me to attend an atheist film festival and be shocked that the audience and films are making light of organized religions. Allow me clarify: this is not a bad film, it is entertaining and informative – two key components for any documentary. The Nature of Existence makes rather substantial claims: not only to provide an explanation for everything, but also to change your perception of everything. It just seems a tad over zealous is all.