Directors: Robert Cannan, Corrina McFarlane.Three miles hits Irish screens on September 18, 2009.

Reviews:

Elvis Costello once asked us 'What's so funny 'bout peace,love and understanding?' Nothing, according to those taking part in this documentary - these people take those ideals very seriously indeed. Hidden amongst the beautiful Swedish forests and lakes, about three miles north of Molkom, is Angsbacka, where once a year it becomes a haven for those seeking inner peace. During a two-week stay, one would expect Shamanistic experiences, tantric sex, fire walking and sharing your innermost fears and dreams with complete strangers.

Everyone is separated into 'sharing groups' with debut directors Cannan and McFarlane focusing on one group in particular - it was a good choice. Amongst this group is 'leader' Siddharta, a Swedish harbour master struggling to get over the break up to his one true love; grandmother Mervi who is at life's crossroads; Peter, who has arrived with his two young sons, unsure if he'll return to his wife back home; and Ljus, a Hawaiian free spirit who seems to spend his life wandering from one hippy commune to another. But our journey is Nick's journey. Nick is an Australian rugby coach who has stumbled across Angsbacka thinking it was a music festival. Nick doesn't buy into the tree hugging, soul searching or the chakra finding that's going on here and spends most of his time alone listening to his iPod. However, slowly but surely, Nick begins to lose himself in the sharing and learns a lot about himself before he departs. Nick brings a much needed cynicism and objectivity to the documentary. His constant ruffling of Siddharta's feathers give the proceedings some edge, too.

Cannan and McFarlane keep behind camera throughout, a fly-on-the-wall approach rather than getting stuck in with the participants. They're objective to a point - yes, it's obvious they find a lot of what goes on silly and those involved slightly foolish, but there's a feeling too that the directors wouldn't mind giving the course a go themselves just to see what happens. There's also a feeling that those experiencing these experiences do so because they've decided to do so, rather than actually doing so. But, no matter. It can be fun spending time in a place where you wouldn't normally go, and spending time with people you wouldn't normally meet and Three Miles North of Molkom offers that - a little respite in bizarro world.

Review by Gavin Burke