Must-watch Films and TV to Expand Heart, Mind + Soul
There’s so much research and spiritual wisdom reminding us that we become what we consume.
What we put into our system affects our immunity, relationships, confidence, and sense of what's normal. Bit by bit, it affects our ability to stand up as our most powerful, self-aware, and loving selves.
Our TV programs literally program us to think and feel in alignment with them. When we watch violence, we invite that violent energy into our system. It doesn't mean you'll pick up a gun, knife or fist and do something cruel to another person, but that energy will be expressed somewhere else in your life: perhaps in mean thoughts against yourself, impatience with your mum, or harsh judgment of others
Energy is never destroyed, only transformed...
And of course watching this stuff normalises violence as nothing to be concerned about (in fact, be entertained by it!).
The same goes for films with plots centred on bitchiness, separation, disharmony, and really inane flaff.
“In this age, attention is our highest form of currency. Where are you spending yours? ”
The question is: WHAT IS THE VIBRATION OF THE MEDIA YOU’RE WATCHING? Does it make your heart open and flower or does it make you tense, contract, or numb?
Below is a list of all-time favourite films and TV to open your heart, mind and spirit rather than dumb down and clog up your energy system. They’re funny, creatively inspiring, sexy, smart, soulful. They’re all rad, but I’ve included my highly recommended films with ★★★★★.
Please also get in touch if you have a film or show you think should be on this list!
Must-watch films and TV to expand heart, mind, and soul
From Marvel to art house, anime to time/space drama, creative inspiration to non-binary romance… These downloadable and YouTube films + Netflix series are made with the intention of freedom and empowerment, rather than numbing your heart and attention.
The list includes…
Sexy action narratives exploring love, spirituality and new realities
Fictional human stories exploring love, spirituality and new realities
Sensitive documentaries exploring love, spirituality and new realities
Space drama narratives, quantum physics, new realities
Studio Ghibli’s Japanese anime: beautiful art, femininist, spiritual/shamanic stories
Creative inspiration and BOLDNESS from the Greats
Inspiring documentaries about the extraordinariness of simple humans
Human life, human romance (beyond binaries)
Fall in love with nature (it’s our mirror)
Disney/Pixar wisdom
“You can’t step in the same river twice.”
Even if you’ve watched some of these before, I recommend re-watching because you’ve changed since the last viewing and I guarantee you’ll pick up on things you didn’t notice before…
1. Sexy action narratives exploring love, spirituality and reality
Limitless by Neil Burger ★★★★★
An 2011 American science-fiction thriller film about a man who discovers how to blow through his blocks and discover what his greatest purpose is. He discovers how to be limitless… And this is not just a made up story. If you’re interested in tasting this for yourself, find out more here.
Sense8 by the makers of The Matrix (on Netflix) ★★★★★
Contemporary exploration of telepathy and telekenesis. Brilliant. Excellent mix of heart, action, spiritual science, and sensuality… BEST group sex scene in ep 6!
The Matrix 1, 2 AND 3 (on Netflix) ★★★★★
Of course they’re on the list! Rewatch all of them. You are different and so what you will notice in the review will be different. The final fight scene of the third film is so on-point. So much spiritual wisdom that I didn’t get when I first watched as a teen.
Black Panther, Doctor Strange, and many of the Marvel movies ★★★★★
Beyond all the action, many of these Marvel films have deep spiritual wisdom and clues embedded in them… From alternative dimensions, accessing higher power, plant medicine, ancestor wisdom, quantum potential... I also love that you can never predict what will happen next in these films!
The Truman Show by Peter Weir
An oldie and a goodie. Also watched this as a teenager and so much of the wisdom flew past me… So recommend watching this again!
Inception by Christopher Nolan
You may have watched this before. Watch it again. It can be really illuminating if you watch with questions like…
How does the mind work?
How do ideas get inside the mind?
How do I protect my mind from negative, harmful thoughts?
How do I cultivate a strong and healthy mind?
Also, it’s just a bloody great film!
Lucy by Luc Besson
What happens when a person taps into the FULL potential of their mind? That’s what the heroine (Scarlett Johansen) does when a nootropic, psychedelic drug is accidentally absorbed into her bloodstream. Wonderful to watch her journey and what changes for her exactly.
The Book of Eli Directed by Albert Hughes
This is a post-apocalyptic neo-Western action film with the wonderful Denzel Washington and Mila Kunis (who for some reason I really love!). It follows the story of Eli (Denzel), a courageous and determined nomad who’s on a mission to deliver a mysterious book to a safe location on the West Coast of the United States. Very. Interesting. Loved it. I recommend watching it twice at least. You’ll know why after.
2. Fictional human stories exploring love, spirituality and realities
The Fountain by Darren Aronofsky
This is is a 2006 American epic romantic drama film starring Hugh Jackman and the lovely Rachel Weisz. It blends elements of fantasy, history, spirituality, and science fiction, and explores storylines involving immortality and the resulting loves lost, and one man's pursuit of avoiding this fate in this life or beyond it. It’s quite brilliant and feels a bit like traveling to outer space and back within 96 minutes.
La Belle Verte by Coline Serreau ★★★★★
What do advanced beings from a utopian planet think of earth and our society, financial and production/consumption systems? What recommendations could they make for a brighter, more cohesive future? This hilarious film follows an alien named Mila who visits earth to help us. Made in the 90s and yet so spot on for right now. Inspiring. Affirming. Mind- and heart-opening.
Embrace of the Serpent by Ciro Guerra ★★★★★
“I had a dream once. Of a white spirit who had forgotten how to dream. He was sick and the only way to heal was to learn to dream again.” Poignant and beautifully shot story set in the early 1900s of a shaman in the Colombian Amazon who helps a sick German explorer heal and dream. So relevant for our times and personal/collective awakening. Highly recommended!
Palermo Shooting by Wim Wenders
A successful photographer becomes disenchanted with his seemingly impressive life and goes to Palermo to find himself. While he’s there he finds much more: love, death, magic, and possibility. Awesome soundtrack too, including Beirut, Portishead, Calexico, and Iron & Wine, Bonnie Prince Billy, and more.
City of Angels by Brad Silberling
Angel, Nicholas Cage, falls in love with a human and this is his story of longing to be with her. Beautiful exploration of what it means to be human and appreciating our time as mortals in this life.
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring by Kim Ki-duk
A Korean film telling the story of a young Buddhist monk's evolution from Innocence to Love, Evil to Enlightenment,and ultimately to Rebirth. A heart-melter.
As it is in heaven by Kay Pollak
A quiet Swedish movie about home, personal history, enemies, and finding love. A touching spirit that leaves the heart peaceful and loving. Great soundtrack also.
Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 by Nahnatchka Kha (on Netflix)
Chloe is a New York party girl with the morals of a pirate. She causes trouble for her naive small town roommate, June, and Chloe's best friend, James Van Der Beek. While this is an American television sitcom, Chloe seriously is a role model for how to be completely oneself and #givenofucks. She also embodies a ruthless, and ultimately loving, dark feminine which I really appreciate getting a taste of!
The Addams Family by Charles Addams ★★★★★
If you want encouragement and confidence to be yourself, to be different from the rest, watch this epic family of black sheep! They just love who they are and pay no regards for what anyone else think. They also show what the ‘loving dark’ can look like. When that mischevious and rough ruthlessness is combined with love and care. Also very funny without insulting my intelligence.
The Wizard of Oz by Victor Fleming
This is a story of a shamanic journey! Dorothy gets taken into the astral planes and there she learns a lot about love, the mind, friends, following her heart, good/evil, and trust. So much symbolism and wise gems.
Meetings with Remarkable Men (on YouTube)
A mystic searching for answers meets inspiring characters and many aha! moments along the way. A slow and poetic story. A cadence of the heart.
It's a Wonderful Life by Frank Capra
George Bailey has so many problems he is thinking about ending it all—and it's Christmas! As the angels discuss George, we see his life in flashback. As George is about to jump from a bridge, he ends up rescuing his guardian angel, Clarence, who then shows George what his town would have looked like if it hadn't been for all his good deeds over the years. A very sweet film from 1946.
Seven Years in Tibet by Jean-Jacques Annaud
A war drama film based on the 1952 book of the same name. The book was written by Austrian mountaineer Heinrich Harrer on his experiences in Tibet between 1939 and 1951 during World War II, the interim period, and the Chinese People's Liberation Army's Battle of Chamdo in 1950. Directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud and starring Brad Pitt and David Thewlis, the score was composed by John Williams.
3. Sensitive documentaries exploring love, spirituality and realities
The Twelve by the Le Ciel Foundation (free to download) ★★★★★
Medicine for our troubled times and brings us back to our eternal and complex connection with Nature and all of humanity. I was so touched by this.
Samsara by Ron Fricke (free to watch on YouTube)
A non-narrative documentary exploring the marvels of the world and the richness of the human experience. Filmed across twenty-five countries over a five-year period and acclaimed for its mesmerising visuals and music, it captures both the tedious and the miraculous and the greatest depths of human spirituality.
Documentary about the Indian yogi and guru Paramahansa Yogananda who came to the West in the 1920s to teach yoga and meditation.
4. Space drama narratives, quantum physics, new realities
Interstellar by Christopher Nolan
Set in a dystopic future where humans are running out of survial options amidst a crumbling ecosystem, this is an excellent exploration promises, family, and ‘unexplained ‘spiritual’ experiences (and the quantum physics behind them). Amazing drama that goes beyond Newtonian physics (3D, 5-senses mind) into larger possibilities of time/space.
Arrival by Denis Villeneuve ★★★★★
Clever. Mind-opening. Surpra-rational intelligence beyond our Newtonian physics, 3D, 5-senses mind… Radial rather than linear thinking… A linguistics expert, along with her team, must interpret the language of aliens who've come to earth in a mysterious spaceship. Epic.
5. Studio Ghibli’s Japanese anime: beautiful art, femininist, spiritual/shamanic stories
Pretty much anything by Studio Ghibli is amazing, but these are best of the best:
Spirited Away by Studio Ghibli (on Netflix) ★★★★★
Mystical and whimsical story of love, courage, and spirit worlds. My favourite film of all time. I watch this film multiple times a year for creative/spiritual inspo.
The Red Turtle by Studio Ghibli ★★★★★
Amazing art-lead story with no narration or dialogue. A simple exploration of life, death, life, death.
Nausicaa by Studio Ghibli (maybe on Netflix)
A science fantasy adventure story of bringing peace back after an apocalyptic devastation (including a “toxic jungle”). The power of pure vulnerability and compassion in the face of violence, and the transformative effects of that are simply beautiful. Heroine Nausicaa is a kind of Kwan Yin figure...
Princess Mononoke by Studio Ghibli (on Netflix)
What can you see when your eyes are no longer clouded by hate? Can humans and nature live harmoniously? There are no binary ‘good’ and ‘bad’ characters in this film… Plenty of badass shamanic powerhouse of the feminine, light and dark.
Ponyo by Studio Ghibli
An adventuorous retelling of the Little Mermaid in an more pro-feminine and imaginative way. I still think of the Ocean Goddess all the time!
The Tale of the Princess Kaguya by Studio Ghibli (on Netflix)
A sensitive sharing of what it means to be a human; following rules, or following our heart, having gratitude for the small stuff. Incredible art and daring narrative.
6. Creative inspiration and BOLDNESS from the Greats
Jodorowsky's Dune by Alejandro Jodowrosky ★★★★★
We see behind the scenes of this fierce artist as he met inspiration, traction and then destruction during his adaptation of Frank Herbert's classic sci-fi novel "Dune" for the big screen. Amazing to witness his creative process, connection to trust, and unshakable integrity to his vision. All artists must watch this!
A doco about the Greatest Film Never Made... This film is so creatively inspiring for dealing with creation and failure, inspiration and letting go.
Also check out Jodowrosky’s other films.
Frida by Julie Taymor
Amazing artist. Amazing very human life. Amazing courage. Amazing authenticity. Her responses in adversity (health and romance) and creative resilience are so inspiring.
Deadman by Jim Jarmusch ★★★★★
A sophisticated and felt exploration of innocence and guilt, life and death, good and bad, us and them. This film gets better and better everytime I watch it. Best soundtrack of all time by Neil Young.
Cléo from 5 to 7 by Agnes Varda
A 'real time' day in the life of a hypochondriac famous singer. Follow her from 5pm to 7pm as she gets a Tarot reading, falls in love, and gets a medical diagnosis. An all time favourite films.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show by Jim Sharman
Eccentric and hilarious story of sexual awakening, stripping off social conditioning, and expressing your authentic self. Bloody great.
7. Inspiring documentaries about the extraordinariness of simple humans
Babies by Thomas Balmès ★★★★★
This is an observation of the first two years in the lives of four infants and their families. The babies are from Namibia, Mongolia, San Francisco and Tokyo and it’s an astonishing no-narrative (just images and soundtrack) exploration of something we see and experience so often: babies.
Birth As We Know It by Elena Tonetti-Vladimirova
This is a documentary film about natural birth, and what it takes to give birth consciously and gracefully. This film has spread to 58 countries by word of mouth and has received global recognition as the guide to Conscious birth. Now in the 6th edition the movie has been translated into 12 languages. Highly recommended.
The Story of Plastic by Pale Blue Dot Media in association with React To Film
An Emmy-winning documentary revealing the ugly truth behind plastic pollution and the false solution of plastic recycling. It presents a cohesive timeline of how we got to our current global plastic pollution crisis and how the oil and gas industry has successfully manipulated the narrative around it. From the extraction of fossil fuels and plastic disposal to the global resistance fighting back, The Story of Plastic explores the complexities and simplicity of the world’s most pressing environmental issues.
The Need To Grow by Food Revolution Network (free to stream online)
Soil scientists estimate that at the rate we are depleting our farmland, we could have fewer than 60 years of soil left on Earth. Can we feed the world without destroying the planet? The answer depends on what we do now! The good news is, there ARE solutions. This doco takes you inside the hearts and innovations of three very different leaders — an 8-year-old girl challenges the ethics of a beloved organization — a renegade farmer struggles to keep his land as he revolutionizes resource-efficient agriculture — and an accomplished visionary inventor faces catastrophe in the midst of developing a game-changing technology.
The Gleaners and I by Agnes Varda ★★★★★
An intimate doco about people who glean (take what everyone else sees as trash). Amazing topic for this (post?-)consumerist time we find ourselves in and a very feminine and personal approach to documentary filmmaking. I love.
A Simpler Way: Crisis as Opportunity by Simplicity Institute (on YouTube)
Super inspiring This doco follows a group of people in Australia who have come together to explore a simpler way to live. Throughout the year the group build tiny houses, plant veggie gardens, practice simple living and permaculture principles, and discover the challenges of living in community. Awesome to see so many different ways of making abodes and the importance of interpersonal maturity (hence the need for work like this and ISTA!)
The Social Dilemma by Davis Coombe, Vickie Curtis & Jeff Orlowski (on Netflix)
Everything you do online is carefully monitored and recorded… and then used to get you to take particular actions. “This is checkmate on humanit"y.” This documentary-drama hybrid explores the dangerous human impact of social networking, with tech experts sounding the alarm on their own creations. Been recommended this series so often!
The Secret Life of 5 Year Olds (free online on Channel 4)
Adorable and revealing. These kids are our mirror, revealing to us our most innocent, raw, naked, and simple selves. So recommend watching. Also check out the The Secret Life of 5 Year Olds Girls.
The Work by Jairus McLeary and Gethin Aldous
Go behind the scenes in-prison group therapy. Emotion, masculinity, us/them, connection, vulnerability, regret, trauma, healing. Powerful film. Set inside a single room in Folsom Prison, three men from the outside participate in a four-day group therapy retreat with level-four convicts. Over the four days, each man in the room takes his turn at delving deep into his past.
That Sugar Film by Damon Gameau
Damon Gameau embarks on an experiment to document the effects of a high sugar diet on a healthy body. Lots of wow moments, super important to watch :D
8. Human life, human romance
Moonlight by Barry Jenkins
A breathtaking and fresh exploration of a young African-American man grappling with identity, sexuality and everyday struggles of childhood, adolescence, and burgeoning adulthood. Sexy, tender, stunningly shot. This film transports us somewhere new inside ourselves.
Call Me by Your Name by Luca Guadagnino ★★★★★
A coming-of-age romantic drama between two men. Every shot, every moment is like a painting. I feel like I’m in the film with them, feeling everything. A surprising and achingly beautiful story.
9. Fall in love with nature and the (yo)Universe
Into The Universe With Stephen Hawking The Story of Everything by Stephen Hawking (free, on YouTube)
It’s kinda old for a science doco, but it’s great. His explanation of gravity and the necessity of imperfection has stuck with me for years! The big bang makes me think it’s God’s orgasm that created everything.
All Planet Earth and anything by David Attenborough!
Nature at its best. When we watch nature documentaries, we’re watching aspects of ourselves. There is something sooo deeply nourishing and uplifting about this. We get smarter when we watch this stuff.
Dominion, narrated by Joaquin Phoenix
Using drones, hidden and handheld cameras, Dominion exposes the dark underbelly of modern animal agriculture, questioning the morality and validity of humankind’s dominion over the animal kingdom. While mainly focusing on animals used for food, it also explores other ways animals are exploited and abused by humans, including clothing, entertainment and research.
The Secret Life of Cats (free, on Vimeo)
There's no denying we are obsessed with our cats. But have you ever wondered why your cat always lands on all fours? Why it purrs? And where it goes when it leaves the cat flap? Secret Life of Cats follows the incredible story of a newborn kitten as it grows into a nimble athletic neighborhood cat.
10. Disney/Pixar wisdom
Fern Gully by Bill Kroyer ★★★★★
A favourite from my childhood! Set in an Australian rainforest inhabited by fairies including Crysta, who accidentally shrinks a young logger named Zak to the size of a fairy. Together, they rally the fairies and the animals of the rainforest to protect their home from the loggers and a malevolent pollution entity, Hexxus. Poignant. Beautiful art.
Pocahontas by Mike Gabriel and Eric Goldberg
Listen to the songs… Their wisdom is strong! The racism of colonialists is upsetting, but accurate. Beyond that, the power, dignity, and receptivity of Pocahontas is inspiring. I love this film.
A favourite from my childhood!
Avatar by James Cameron
I so recommend (re)watching this now. Even just for the nature!
Inside Out by Pete Docter
Clever and simply expressed film about mental wellness and the complexity of being a human. Eleven-year-old Riley moves to San Francisco, leaving behind her life in Minnesota. She and her five core emotions, Fear, Anger, Joy, Disgust and Sadness, figure out how to cope with her new life.
A Pixar exploration of the soul realms…
Let me know if there’s a film that you think should be on this list!
