The Human Experience

With a disclaimer up front that all that follows is genuinely filmed as it happened, this ambitious documentary chronicles the journey of young Brooklyn brothers Clifford and Jeffrey Azize, who retreated to a city shelter in the wake of parental dysfunction and alcoholism. The pair embark on a freeform worldwide search for the Meaning of Life in the face of perpetual want and misery, interviewing both the sufferers and would-be solution providers in some of the world's poorest quarters. Starting off with homeless people in NYC, the siblings next sojourn with disabled Peruvian orphans, and finally go to see colonies of lepers and AIDS victims in Ghana (the latter heartbreakingly happy to meet the visitors). Interspersed throughout are soundbites from philanthropists and theologians offering Judeo-Christian and Islamic views on suffering and resilience. In a Mother Teresa mutation of Bruce Brown's The Endless Summer, part of the journey involves hitching with Surf for the Cause, long-boarders who do international volunteer work while searching for “the perfect wave.” The Human Experience features some questionably convenient dramatic touches (It's a Wonderful Life plays on TVs in store windows as the siblings live rough outside), feel-good music by Enya, and a healing happy ending, so that while director Charles Kinnane's intentions are undoubtedly noble, the execution still seems a mite calculated. DVD extras include audio commentary by the director, and a photo gallery. A strong optional purchase. Aud: C, P. (C. Cassady)