a poetic documentary opening the worlds of three young westerners searching for meaning in modern times

synopsis

tibetan buddhism

sufism

yoga

interview with directors

WHAT moves young, educated people to give up their lives in material security for a spiritual quest that is characterized by uncertainty?
Through the Eastern Gate is a documentary film about the aspirations, practices and ways of life of three young Westerners who follow three different eastern spiritual traditions.

pranayama, south india, tantric yoga, spiritual search
Hatha yoga, South India

Chöd drum, Sister Yeshe in Dehradun, tibetan buddhism
Chöd drum, Dehradun

In the idyllic rural setting of South India we get to know Ronela - a Finn who dedicated her life to traditional Tantric yoga. In Dehradun, in the North Indian foothills of the Himalayas, we meet Sister Yeshe - a young Australian nun who practices Tibetan Buddhism. And in Turkey we finally follow Aziz - a Californian Sufi dervish...

whirling Aziz, Istanbul