Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/548772
T he early life of Paulo Coelho, best-selling author of The Alchemist, reveals no shortage of drama. While still a teen in Brazil, dominated by his Catholic upbringing and frustrated by his rigid father's inability to accept his desire to be a writer (as well as his own inability to accept his father's life choices), young Paolo attempts to take his own life. When he fails, his parents confi ne him to an institution. This is just the fi rst of many events in the author's life as dramatized in the new fi lm bearing his name. With multiple time jumps, an abundance of mood lighting and interjected with brief passionate encounters with women, the biopic chronicles his journey from rebellious youth through mystical initiation (which may or may not be on the material plane) to author of 30 novels. Along the way Coelho is institutionalized again and undergoes shock therapy, gets arrested, publishes a UFO magazine, upends Brazilian rock music and is betrayed by his music partner, marries twice and pilgrimages twice on the Camino de Santiago. Oh, and he smokes thousands of cigarettes. It's a full life by anyone's standards, and it's a testament to his determination and trust in life's miracles that he's avoided lung cancer. Starring Júlio Andrade as mid-life Coelho (his most transformational period) and Enrique Diaz as his father, Pedro, the fi lm will hold your attention even as you struggle to determine what events actually took place on the material plane and how much was in Coelho's mind. For a brief moment, as he is meditating on the Camino and we hear the deus-ex-machina voice of his mentor from a mysterious Catholic organization (that sounds a bit like Opus Dei, although it might also be a Freemason group), I even wonder if the entire narrative is taking place in his meditation. The once-thwarted writer has sold a reported 175 million books. The theme of the most popular, The Alchemist, in which the hero travels to an exotic land to fi nd a treasure more valuable than gold, is, "When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it." This theme is repeated in the fi lm, and clearly has been perfected by Coelho in his own life. Not only is this an entertaining and compelling fi lm, it will also inspire you to persist in pursuing your dreams. Opens July 31 in Los Angeles (Music Box Films) – Florence Carr FILM The Pilgrim: Paulo Coelho's Best Story Directed by Daniel Augusto art & soul Don't miss the annual Whole Life Times Food Issue! A proven anti-cancer remedy that's almost a panacea Who's brewing organic beer? Non-pharm remedies for IBS and food sensitivities Spas to repair, renew and reenergize you for fall + a whole lot more about holistic living Call or email now to reserve your space in the WLT Food Issue! 310.425.3056 sales@wholelifemagazine.com august/september 2015 33