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SEARCHING FOR NIRVANA

From the director of Netflix's The Last Shaman,

a feature documentary by Raz Degan.

12 YEARS IN THE MAKING

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Some seek Nirvana in caves.

Others find it in the eyes of those they left behind.

SYNOPSIS

1970s Italy: A young revolutionary watches his lover die in his arms from an overdose as police close in. Ridden with guilt, Giancarlo flees to India, hurls his passport into the sacred Ganges, and vanishes—reborn as Shiva Das, a wandering holy man seeking liberation from his past.
 

But karma follows like a shadow.
Even as a monk, he remains untamed—a radical spirit refusing to bow to any orthodoxy, Western or Eastern. The enlightenment he seeks is a freedom that answers to no doctrine. His journey through chaos unravels toward the ultimate twist of fate: somewhere in the world, Snowie—a daughter he abandoned—is the one who holds the key to his final liberation. In his final hours, she stands at the crossroads between bureaucratic chains and spiritual release, between Italian earth and Ganges water, between bondage and salvation.


"Searching for Nirvana" is not just an odyssey of awakening—it’s a primal story of a rebel who made spirituality itself an act of defiance. Through his radical path, we face a searing paradox: that our deepest liberation often lies in the reckoning of every choice we’ve made along our way.

CHARACTERS

SHIVA DAS

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Born Giancarlo Cassuti, a freethinker and musician, a rebellious anarchist, drug addict, and alcoholic. He crossed the realms of society a trafficker, a deserter, and prisoner, transforming into a monk, an ascetic renouncer, and a devotee of the Dharma. A passionate lover and relentless thrill-seeker, Shiva is torn between his longing for liberation and the weight of karma that refuses to let go.

DIRECTOR'S NOTES

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"Searching for Nirvana" continues my trilogy exploring humanity's search for meaning and finding ones place in the world. Where ”The Last Shaman" followed James, a young man battling depression through Ayahuasca ceremonies in Peru, this film ventures deeperdiving into the Hindi faith, walking with sadhus along the Ganges while  witnessing Shiva’s radical quest for ultimate freedom. 

In a time when ancient wisdom is reduced to Instagram quotes and enlightenment is sold like fast food, this film confronts the harsh reality of spiritual seeking—a challenging and relentless journey of self-discovery. Through the lens of karmic destiny, this documentary reflects how our choices echo through time, reminding us of the lasting impact of our actions.

A VISUAL ODYSSEY SPANNING 6 DECADES

PRODUCTION

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The film was shot over twelve years across Italy, Thailand, and India, "Searching for Nirvana" combines: Contemporary footage (RED/Sony FX6), historical reenactments and archival materials.

 

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GLOSSARY

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Dharma: / dhar·​ma ˈdär-mə / The elusive quest for purpose. How deep will you delve into the labyrinth of existence to unearth your own?

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