MONTE GRANDE what is life?

Switzerland, October 2004
FILM, Documentary, 80 min.

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directed by: Franz Reichle
Written by: Franz Reichle
Status: In distribution
Website: www.montegrande.ch

How is it possible for body and mind to exist as an integrated whole? The Chilean neurobiologist Francisco Varela devoted his entire life – from childhood to death – to answer this question. The structure of the film is based on Varela's non-linear thinking and focuses on autopoiesis, ethics, consciousness, meditation and dying. The film also includes narrative accounts and reflections from Varela himself, his relatives, leading scientists, friends and thinkers, such as His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Heinz von Foerster as the father of cybernetics, Jean-Pierre Dupuy, Evan Thompson, Anne Harrington, Humberto Maturana etc. Three key concepts shape the film: the relationship between body and mind (embodiment), the meaning of self responsibility (autonomy) and spirituality.