David Wants To Fly

David Wants To Fly is a fascinating documentary film from 2010. It stars Judith Bourque, Donovan, and Raja Emanuel. Directed by David Sieveking, this moving, autobiographical exploration travels across continents, delving into the realms of spirituality, idealism, and commercialism intersecting in today's world.

The narrative of David Wants to Fly follows Sieveking, a young filmmaker, through an intimate journey of self-discovery triggered by his fascination with the renowned film director and Transcendental Meditation (TM) practitioner, David Lynch. It reflects his thirst for knowledge and a desire to understand the essence of this hidden world of meditation that seems to be the secret behind Lynch's cinematic genius.

Sieveking commences with a personal pilgrimage to the United States. His goal is to meet the reclusive filmmaker and TM proponent, David Lynch. After hearing Lynch's discussions about TM, Sieveking resolves to learn and implement this ancient technique in his life. His pursuit of this path leads him from Germany to the United States to India, his adventures forming the crux of the movie.

The film digs deep into TM, exploring both its philosophical foundations and its embodiment in today's commercial world. Sieveking seeks to understand this spiritual approach, unravel its mysteries, and perceive its impact on an individual's creativity and worldview. In this journey, we see him encountering various proponents of TM, including established celebrities and the leaders of the TM movement.

The legendary ‘60s folk and pop musician Donovan also figures as a key character in the film. His role lays bare his own complex journey with TM, revealing a critical perspective on this practice. Meanwhile, Raja Emanuel, who is closely connected with the TM organization, provides another layer of ambiguity about spiritual enlightenment and the global business that meditation practices have become.

Judith Bourque, a former TM instructor who had a romantic relationship with the founder of the TM movement, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, provides perhaps the most personal and intimate insight into this phenomenon. She narrates her captivating love story, interlaced with her disillusionment with the TM movement and her views on its transformation over the years.

David Wants To Fly is a complex and multi-layered film dealing with themes of spiritual exploration, the search for personal identity, and the intersection of spirituality and commercialism. It asks questions about the nature of creativity, the quest for personal growth and enlightenment, and the conflicts and contradictions inherent in these pursuits.

The narrative also sheds light on the reality of spiritual organizations, highlighting the potent mix of idealism and fervor but also revealing the darker shades of manipulation, commercial exploitation, and the disillusionment of followers over time. Likewise, it investigates the attractiveness of such spiritual practices to the artistic temperament, studying the correlation between transcendental meditation and creative genius.

While a clear-eyed exploration of TM and its implications, David Wants to Fly also remains a deeply personal and passionate journey. As an autobiographical docu-drama, it captures Sieveking's shifting understanding and feelings toward TM, revealing his initial infatuation, his eventual experiences of disillusionment and sobriety, and finally, a sense of balance and comprehension.

In conclusion, David Wants To Fly provides a comprehensive plunge into an extraordinary realm where spirituality, creativity, and capitalism intersect. It documents a young filmmaker's bemused exploration of an ancient meditative technique, presenting a tapestry of captivating characters, personal narratives, and shocking revelations. It is a contemplative, unsettling yet curious film that expertly blends elements of biography, travelogue, and investigative journalism while holding a mirror to our modern world's realities.