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Enlighten Us: The Rise and Fall of James Arthur Ray

Spotlight

World Premiere

USA | 93 MINUTES | English |

ENLIGHTEN US: THE RISE AND FALL OF JAMES ARTHUR RAY

Female Director(s), Documentary, NY Director(s)
“Are you with me?” These are telling words spoken by James Arthur Ray to filmmaker Jenny Carchman as the tale of this once-star motivational speaker begins to unfold. His meteoric rise and fall, as well as his return to the industry following his negligent homicide conviction in the deaths of three clients at a sweat lodge ceremony is more than just a story of one individual. It’s a story of hope, dreams, trust, betrayal and the quest for ‘enlightenment.’

The self-help industry is worth $11 billion dollars a year. It’s an industry that captivates those seeking happiness, release from suffering and those longing for a path and a leader to follow. James Arthur Ray for many who followed him was that leader to guide his flock. But as the story unfolds, as told by Ray himself and also by his followers, we learn that that path was fraught with danger and perhaps even greater suffering.

Through honest and candid interviews, interwoven with court footage and news archive, Enlighten Us asks the important questions, “What are we looking for” and “Who has the answers” and perhaps even the simple question “Why?”.

—Deborah Rudolph

CAST & CREDITS

Directed by Jenny Carchman

Jenny Carchman has been making award-winning documentaries for theatrical release and broadcast television for the past twenty years. She's produced films for PBS, CNN Films and HBO including several documentaries for Martin Scorsese. She lives in New York City.
Director
Jenny Carchman
Producer
Allyson Luchak
Editor
Seth Bomse
Cinematographer
Svetlana Cvetko, Chris Dapkins
Executive Producer
Julie Goldman, Chris Clements. Amy Entelis, Vinnie Malhotra
Composer
Scott Morgan
Supervising Producer
Courtney Sexton
Comissioning Editor
Sonja Scheider

CONTACTS

US Sales Contact
Josh Braun
Submarine Entertainment
New York, NY 10013
Phone: 212 625 1410
josh@submarine.com
Print Source
Allyson Luchak
Big Pond Films
Brooklyn, NY 11217
Phone: 416 700 0411
allyson.luchak@mac.com
Publicist
Jennifer Dargan
CNN
New York, NY 10001
Phone: (212) 484-8000
Jennifer.Dargan@warnermedia.com
Press Contact
Marian Koltai-Levine
R&CPMK
New York, NY 10022
Phone: 212 373 6130
Marian.koltai@rogersandcowanpmk.com