Challenging Impossibility (2011) User Reviews

Great Sports movie for any athlete

[grahak777 · 10/10 · 10 March 2013]

This film incorporates everything people love about sports. Self competition, physical fitness, feeling good about yourself and so on. It looks at the remarkable weight lifting career of Sri Chinmoy who in his 70's was lifting weights that most people would find difficult if not impossible at any age. But that's what the movie is about. Challenging yourself to try things you don't think are possible.

With appearances from 9 time Olympic Gold medallist Carl Lewis, 5 time Mr Universe Bill Pearl and body building legend Frank Zane there is enough stars in the film for body builders and lifters to appreciate and take something extra out of the movie. I really enjoyed this and have watched it about 4 times.

Not to be missed

[juliettegallienne · 8/10 · 12 March 2013]

What an amazing opportunity to see this wonderful movie. The calibre of film is unique and incredibly special to those wanting to push their personal boundaries. More movies like this should be made to encourage those wishing to do more with their lives as well as this demonstrates just how we can all improve our limitations. How fabulous Sri Chinmoy was in his constant self giving and perseverance to increasing his capacity, something we can all learn from in life. To capture the events in this movie really highlights the personal capacity we all have in increasing our own strengths. Many thanks to those who created this production.

Wow

[eosmusashi · 9/10 · 10 March 2013]

Quick! Name 5 activities you would consider are proper to a spiritual master living in today's world: Meditation... check, Chanting... check, Exercise... check, Devotional service.... check... weight lifting.... really?

After watching this film, your idea of what "spirituality" and "devotional work" is will have to be rewritten. Sri Chinmoy shows that being a spiritual master is not about sitting down and contemplating all day long, or being hidden in a cave somewhere in the Himalayas, but it's actually a modern day to day reality; and just how spiritual would you consider weight lifters to be? Aren't they the most superficial of beings? Well... some of them are the opposite.

This movie changed my perception and impressed me out of bounds.

Top Movie

[grahak · 10/10 · 26 June 2013]

For anyone who aims to aspire in sport or in life in general this film shows that anybody can do so. The film shows the lifting of strongman and fitness Guru Sri Chinmoy who in his 70's was lifting weights that were beyond the realms of most young lifters. Highlighted by appearances of strongman Hugo Girard and former Mr Universe Bill Pearl, the documentary showcases the possibilities of the human spirit. It was so good the film was selected for Tribecca in 2011 I believe. It shows the benefits of fitness, inner peace, regularity and discipline. Skills that can be applied in personal, business and fitness lifestyles. Highly recommended.

Most inspiring

[ahibade · 10/10 · 1 May 2013]

This is one of the most inspiring movies/documentaries I have ever seen! The documentary shows so many physical feats by sports advocate Sri Chinmoy that are so extraordinary, that it literally smashed my own preconceptions about what is possible in terms of physical achievements. I guess it has a lot to do with Sri Chinmoys spiritual approach to sport and his meditation capacities which allows him to bring to the fore the hidden powers which are existing in every human being, as strongman Hugo Girard states.

The movie inspired me a lot to try more and reach for more in my own personal life and my own little world of sports. I can highly recommend it for everybody who loves sports and wants to transcend his or her own limitations. Awesome!

Great film

[economicshelp · 9/10 · 30 April 2013]

I saw this film in Bristol at an exhibition of Sri Chinmoy's weightlifting. The film was quite unique and, if you forgive the feeble pun very 'uplifting'. It's an unusual theme and an unusual combination of people for a short film; it's hard to think of anything similar - it just doesn't fit into any mould. As one of the newscasters says 'what do you get if you mix the Dalai Lama and the incredible hulk?' But, although very different it is both entertaining and genuinely moving. It's definitely a film to challenge preconceptions and look at someone who was pushing boundaries in a very unorthodox way. The interesting thing was to see how everyone who went to see the film came out either smiling, moved and / or rooted to the spot. It definitely touched people who saw it.

If you want to see something a bit different and if you are open to seeing what can be possible, then you will enjoy this film. Definitely worth the trip, even though it is quite short.

Spiritual activity pushing through the limits of the body

[devakripacohen · 10/10 · 17 May 2013]

This film was so amazing to experience. The film-making was beautiful and well executed. The music is great. The style of the camera capturing the voices of several perspectives at once rivets your attention. It was absolutely riveting from the first moment of the film to the last. By the end of the film, you feel empowered by the ultimate message of the film through the historic voices of the past. The film contains the historic footage from decades past is vividly juxtaposed with glimpses of their current lives and raw impressions of the subject matter. And to capture all this on film in a very timely manner for posterity shows the brilliance of the film. Very inspiring. Moving. This film shows an unknown dimension in a relevant context to contemporary spiritual activity through meditation. BRAVO....

Remarkable "extreme sport" film

[praptimail · 9/10 · 14 May 2013]

Engaging footage and poignant athlete interviews, one of the best sport documentaries I have seen.

My preconceptions on power-lifting and extreme sports were completely uprooted by the film. I learnt about a spiritual master who turned strong man and remarkably, the film carried me on an eloquent and poetic journey into the life of Sri Chinmoy's mind blowing feats of strength.

I first viewed the movie at the Tribeca Film Festival, and since then have purchased a copy for myself - watching it half a dozen times with friends and family. An "uplifting" story, truly inspirational in nature which I highly recommend to anyone who dares to dream of doing the impossible.

Unlike any other film you have seen

[jayana-sk · 10/10 · 20 April 2013]

This film contains such a profound message rarely found in other movies. It captures moments of inner realities being brought to the physical world through sports, notably weightlifting. However, the weights are just instruments for a spiritual master to convey feelings of deep truth, joy of self-transcendence and humanity's longing for perfection. I wasn't interested in weights before at all, nevertheless, I was deeply touched by the spirit of this film. It goes beyond your mind and touches something hidden inside you. You will truly feel uplifted in all senses. The interviews with other people associated with such a project adds great value, authenticity and awe to the whole story.