Are We One

In Production
This new legacy portrait documentary will trace the transmission of Zen through the life work of Jesuit Zen Master Robert Kennedy Roshi, and his successors and students, in a contemporary exploration of faith and spirituality at the very core of contemporary 21st century life.
 

You can already pre-order this film and support its making by clicking on the SUPPORT tab above.

Robert Kennedy joined the Jesuits in 1951 at the age of 18.

After an extensive spiritual and academic training, he was ordained a priest in Japan
in 1965 at the age of 32.

In Japan, he studied Zen with Yamada Koun Roshi in the 1970s. Yamada had a profound effect on his life. Here was a married layman with a family, who expressed insight and humanity in a way that powerfully touched the young Robert Kennedy.

Returning to the United States the young Jesuit took a sabbatical and moved to Los Angeles to study Zen with Maezumi Roshi and then with Bernard Glassman Roshi in New York City.

Glassman Roshi installed him as a Sensei (Zen Teacher) of the White Plum Asanga lineage in 1991 and conferred Inka (his final seal of approval) in 1997, making him a Roshi (Zen Master) in a ceremony together with the writer Peter Matthiesen and Janet Richardson.  Facing some objections from his students for appointing a Catholic priest as one of his first dharma heirs Glassman famously refuted the objections by asking his students ‘Are we one, or are we not?’.

Robert Kennedy is the former chair of the Theology department of Saint Peter’s College in Jersey City, where he taught theology and Japanese.  In addition to his work at the college, he was a practicing psychoanalyst in New York City and a representative at the United Nations of the Institute for Spiritual Consciousness in Politics.

He is also the author of two books, ‘Zen Spirit, Christian Spirit’ and ‘Zen Gifts to Christians’.

He sits with his Zen students daily at the Morning Star Zendo in Jersey City and holds Sesshins (Zen Retreats) internationally.

ROBERT KENNEDY ROSHI’S DHARMA SUCCESSORS

To date, Robert Kennedy has installed 17 Dharma Successors; lay teachers who have studied Zen and worked with him over the last thirty years and have been approved by him to teach, including:
Janet Richardson, Roshi (1994/1997), Charles Birx, Roshi (1998/2014),
Ellen Birx, Roshi (1998/2014), Janet Abels, Roshi (2000/2015),
Kevin Hunt, Sensei (2004), Ray Cicetti, Roshi (2004/2015),
Gregory Abels, Sensei (2006), Paul Schubert, Sensei (2007),
Inge von Wobeser-Hopfner, Sensei (2008), Patrick Eastman, Sensei (2009),
Michael Holleran, Sensei (2009), Carl Bachmann, Sensei (2010),
Carl Viggiani, Sensei (2013), Miriam Healy, Roshi (2014/2019),
Dr. Maria “Cuca” Robledo Montecel, Roshi (2015/2019),
Timothy Butler, Sensei (2015), Susan Efird, Sensei (2018),
Monica Maher, Sensei (2018), Mary Laheen, Sensei (2019)

Zen

“Zen Training has traditionally included two paths which are usually combined but not to be confused: the path of teacher and the path of priest. The path of Zen teacher is to fully realize, and then transmit, the unconditional experience that is the essential core of Zen and, I believe the core of all mystical traditions.  One way to describe this unconditional experience is the seeing into our deepest nature as human beings and the realizing of the oneness of all life. ”Bernie Glassman from the Foreword to Robert Kennedy’s ‘Zen Spirit, Christian Spirit’.

What Is The Practice of Zen Meditation?

Zazen, sitting zen, is the practice of stilling the mind through wholehearted attentiveness to the breath. This steady attentiveness, coupled with the stillness of the body, frees the mind from its ordinary activities of distraction and condition-based thinking.

Zen Insight

When practiced attentively, Zen offers an ever-deepening insight into the oneness of life. This insight reveals to us our own human potential and calls us to use this potential in the service of others, and brings us to the present moment, clarifying and supporting our readiness to meet the ever-changing circumstances of daily life.

Executive Producers:
Noel Brennan, John Ankele (Old Dog Documentaries), Miriam Healy for Morning Star Zendo
Turlough O’Donnell

Director: Dónal Ó Céilleachair

An Anú Pictures Production in Association with Morning Star Zendo

There are 8 different ways to support this film-in-the-making.

Click on the button to support

Pre-Order the ARE WE ONE? DVD – €25

Pre-Order the ARE WE ONE? DVD + Anú Pictures DVD Box Set Plus€100

FILM JIKIJITSU€250

FILM FRIEND€500

FILM ANGEL €1,000


The following levels of participation are recoupable investment opportunities; please get in contact for further info. regarding these.

FILM PATRON €5,000

ASSOCIATE PRODUCER€10,000

CO-PRODUCER€25,000

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER€50,000

Outlined below are the Participation Options for supporting the film:

ARE WE ONE? DVD – €25
An advance copy of the International feature-length film on DVD well before it’s official public release date!

Included Items:

  • ARE WE ONE? Advance Copy DVD
ARE WE ONE? GIFTS DVD + ANÚ PICTURES DVD BOX SET PLUS+ – €100
The Anú Pictures DVD Set including 7 Award-winning films | Plus FULL UNLIMITED ACCESS to the Anú Pictures ONLINE CINEMA; a back-catalogue of films from the past 20 years digitally re-mastered for viewing by contemporary audiences via VOD (Video-On-Demand).

Included Items:

  • ARE WE ONE? Advance Copy DVD
  • Signed ANÚ PICTURES DVD Set
  • DREAMTIME REVISITED DVD
  • AN IRISH MUSIC TRILOGY DVD
  • BRIDGE OF THE GAELS DVD
  • THE CAMINO VOYAGE DVD
  • THE CAMINO VOYAGE CinemaPoster
  • ANÚ ONLINE CINEMA Full Access
ARE WE ONE? – FILM JIKIJITSU – €250
In addition to all of the above items you will be included in the closing credits of the film with a FILM JIKIJITSU* credit. (The Jikijitsu fulfills the critical role of time keeper with the bell during Sesshin).

Included Items:

  • ARE WE ONE? Advance Copy DVD
  • Signed ANÚ PICTURES DVD Set
  • DREAMTIME REVISITED DVD
  • AN IRISH MUSIC TRILOGY DVD
  • BRIDGE OF THE GAELS DVD
  • THE CAMINO VOYAGE DVD
  • THE CAMINO VOYAGE CinemaPoster
  • ANÚ ONLINE CINEMA Full Access
  • FILM JIKIJITSU CREDIT
ARE WE ONE? – FILM FRIEND – €500
In addition to all of the above items you will be included in the closing credits of the film with a FILM FRIEND credit.

Included Items:

  • ARE WE ONE? Advance Copy DVD
  • Signed ANÚ PICTURES DVD Set
  • DREAMTIME REVISITED DVD
  • AN IRISH MUSIC TRILOGY DVD
  • BRIDGE OF THE GAELS DVD
  • THE CAMINO VOYAGE DVD
  • THE CAMINO VOYAGE CinemaPoster
  • ANÚ ONLINE CINEMA Full Access
  • FILM FRIEND Credit
ARE WE ONE? – FILM ANGEL – €1,000
In addition to all of the above items your name will be included in the credits of the film as a FILM ANGEL.

Included Items:

  • ARE WE ONE? Advance Copy DVD
  • Signed ANÚ PICTURES DVD Set
  • DREAMTIME REVISITED DVD
  • AN IRISH MUSIC TRILOGY DVD
  • BRIDGE OF THE GAELS DVD
  • THE CAMINO VOYAGE DVD
  • THE CAMINO VOYAGE CinemaPoster
  • ANÚ ONLINE CINEMA Full Access
  • FILM ANGEL Credit
ARE WE ONE? – FILM PATRON – €5,000
In addition to all of the above your name will be included in the credits of the film as a FILM PATRON. Plus you will be invited for the Film Experience; lunch with the Director during Production to experience the magic of a filmmaking! This is a recoupable investment opportunity; please get in contact for further info. before investing.

Included Items:

  • ARE WE ONE? Advance Copy DVD
  • Signed ANÚ PICTURES DVD Set
  • DREAMTIME REVISITED DVD
  • AN IRISH MUSIC TRILOGY DVD
  • BRIDGE OF THE GAELS DVD
  • THE CAMINO VOYAGE DVD
  • THE CAMINO VOYAGE CinemaPoster
  • ANÚ ONLINE CINEMA Full Access
  • FILM EXPERIENCE
  • FILM PATRON Credit
ARE WE ONE? – ASSOCIATE PRODUCER – €10,000
In addition to all of the above your name will be included in the main closing credits of the film as an Associate-Producer. Plus you will be invited on a week-long Sesshin with Roshi. And receive personally signed copies of Roshi’s two books. This is a recoupable investment opportunity; please get in contact for further info. before investing.

Included Items:

  • ARE WE ONE? Advance Copy DVD
  • Signed ANÚ PICTURES DVD Set
  • ANÚ ONLINE CINEMA Full Access
  • FILM EXPERIENCE
  • SESSHIN RETREAT With Roshi
  • Signed Copies of Roshi’s Books
  • FILM CO-PRODUCER Credit
  • Recoupable Investment Role
ARE WE ONE? CO-PRODUCER – €25,000
In addition to all of the above your name will be included in the main closing credits of the film – and on all promotional materials – as a CO-PRODUCER. Plus you will be invited to a ARE WE ONE? Rough Cut Preview before the film is finished. This is a recoupable investment opportunity; please get in contact for further info. before investing.

Included Items:

  • ARE WE ONE? Advance Copy DVD
  • Signed ANÚ PICTURES DVD Set
  • ANÚ ONLINE CINEMA Full Access
  • FILM EXPERIENCE
  • ROUGH CUT Preview Role
  • SESSHIN RETREAT With Roshi
  • Signed Copies of Roshi’s Books
  • FILM CO-PRODUCER Credit
  • Recoupable Investment Role
 EXECUTIVE PRODUCER – €50,000
In addition to all of the above your name will be included in the main opening & closing credits of the film – and on all promotional materials – as EXECUTIVE PRODUCER. Plus you will be invited to a Rough Cut Preview before the film is finished. This is a recoupable investment opportunity; please get in contact for further info. before investing.

Included Items:

  • ARE WE ONE? Advance Copy DVD
  • Signed ANÚ PICTURES DVD Set
  • ANÚ ONLINE CINEMA Full Access
  • FILM EXPERIENCE
  • ROUGH CUT Preview Role
  • SESSHIN RETREAT With Roshi
  • Signed Copies of Roshi’s Books
  • EXECUTIVE PRODUCER Credit

WHERE THE FUNDING WILL GO
Funds raised through this campaign will go towards:

01 – Development including:
• Research, Treatment & Screenplay development
• Further Fundraising

02 – Pre-Production including 
• Logistics Research, Planning, Travel Booking & Management

03 – Production costs including:
• Filming Crew, Equipment and all production costs associated with filming with each of the individuals in the documentary
•  Production Overhead costs including Insurance, Audit, Accounting & Legal Costs

04 – Post Production including: 
• Editing, rough cuts and fine cutting
• Final Post Production including Graphics, Titling & Subtitling

05 – Distribution including
•  Music & Other Licensing Costs for Worldwide Distribution
• Distribution costs including DCP creation for International Film Festivals
& DVD Design, Authoring and Fabrication

WHY SUPPORT THE FILM DIRECTLY ?
Filmmaking is a complex process and raising funds to make films is even more complex!

It involves a lengthy process through film commissioners, producers, funding agencies, producers reps, sales agents, distributors and broadcasters that takes years and can quite often suck the life and energy out of the very film a filmmaker is trying to make.

Imagine making a film that is supported directly by the people who want to see it made?

Well this is how crowdfunding works.

For example if everyone who eventually saw THE CAMINO VOYAGE had pre-bought the DVD of the film through crowdfunding it would have saved years of funding, broadcaster, distribution negotiations and associated costs.

By supporting our film directly you will receive the completed feature-length film in advance of it’s official public release date and support and be part of its making in the process.