Bhagwan - Die Deutschen und der Guru (2020)

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A feature documentary interviewing present day sannyasins and an ex-sannyasin about the phenomenon of sannyas in Germany. Main interviewee is Sw Ramateertha, then, and now, leader of the Osho Uta meditation centre in Cologne.
Has some unique historical footage.
The later TV broadcast WDR - Bhagwan in Köln: Eine Stadt wird rot (2022) has apparently been cut from this film.
Filmfestival Cologne :
This documentary by Jobst Knigge tells the fascinating story of the the rise and fall of the Indian guru Bhagwan for the first time from the point of view of his German followers. What did they see in the man they worshipped and called Osho? The Sannyasin tell their very personal stories about ecstatic meditation, free love, power and violence, but also about happiness and disappointment, and about the building of a true empire of discos and restaurants all over Germany.
Presse.WDR.de :
In den 80erJahren färbte sich das Belgische Viertel in der Kölner Innenstadt plötzlich bunt. Wie aus dem Nichts tauchten junge, in verschiedene rot-, orange- und lila Töne gekleidete Menschen auf und mieteten Wohnungen und Geschäftsräume. Alle trugen sie ein Amulett mit dem Bildnis eines indischen Mannes an einer hölzernen Perlenkette um den Hals. Sie hatten merkwürdige Namen wie Ramatherta, Surabhi oder Nandano. Und sie nannten sich “Sannyasin”.
Diese Sannyasin waren Anhänger des indischen Gurus Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, der aus einem Ashram in Poona eine Lehre der Selbstfindung durch Meditation, Sex und Hingabe verbreitete. Das traf den Nerv der sinnsuchenden Jugend in der alten Bundesrepublik. Und bald gab es Kommunen des Gurus im ganzen Land.
Um diese Gemeinschaften herum entstand in Köln, Berlin, Hannover und München ein regelgerechtes Imperium aus Diskotheken, vegetarischen Restaurants, Therapie-, Meditations- und Yogazentren. Die Sannyasin kauften zahlreiche Häuser in den Innenstädten und ein Schloss in Bayern. Sie gründeten Geschäfte, Agenturen, Umzugsunternehmen. Die Geschichte der deutschen Anhänger Bhagwans wurde innerhalb kürzester Zeit zu einem wirtschaftlichen Triumph – endete aber kurz darauf für viele dennoch in großer Enttäuschung. Was war passiert?
Erstmals erzählen die deutschen Jünger Bhagwans selbst ihre Geschichte - und damit auch die Geschichte der größten neureligiösen Bewegung der deutschen Nachkriegszeit. Mit großer Offenheit berichten sie packend von ihrer Faszination für die Lehren des Gurus. Warum sie alles stehen und liegen ließen, um Osho, wie sie ihren Meister nannten, erst nach Indien und dann in die USA zu folgen.. Warum es sie nicht störte, das sie alles teilen und mit dem Nötigsten auskommen mussten, während Bhagwan sich mit teuren Uhren, aufwendigen Glitzer-Roben und einer Rolls-Royce-Flotte von 93 Fahrzeugen schmückte. Und was mit ihnen geschah, als das Imperium des „heiligen Mannes“ durch Machtmissbrauch, Gier und Gewalt krachend implodierte.
Aired: German broadcaster ARD, Feb 15, 2021, 23:20 and Feb 16, 2:35
Also aired as a there part documentary titled Ekstase statt Askese - Bhagwan in Köln
Folge 1: Ekstase: „Lebe deinen Traum!“ - WDR 5 Tiefenblick, 1/3, 22.05.2021, 13.30-14.00 and 23.05.2021, 18.30-19.00
Folge 2: Schock: Vertreibung aus dem Paradies - WDR 5 Tiefenblick, 2/3, 29.05.2021, 13.30-14.00 and 30.05.2021, 18.30-19.00
Folge 3: Alltag: Willkommen im Mainstream - WDR 5 Tiefenblick, 3/3, 05.06.2021, 13.30-14.00 and 06.06.2021, 18.30-19.00
language
German
released
Filmfestival Cologne, October 2, 2020, 19:00h - Filmpalast 1 - team present
length
1 h 29 min

credits

credits mentioned at Filmfestival Cologne
Director: Jobst Knigge ]
Producers: Fabian Motz, Loraine Blumenthal
Executive Producers: Stefan Mathieu, Katrin Sandmann
Cinematography: Jean Schablin
Editing: Stefanie Reichel
Music: Hush Hush
Sound: Julius Hofstädter
Domestic Sales: WDR
credits in the film at mediathekview.de
Kamera: Jean Schablin
Ton: Alexander Pohl
Schnitt: Stefanie Reichel
Musik: Hush Hush
Tonmischung: Julius Hofstädter
Farbbearbeitung: Johannes Hilser
Wisschenschaftliche Beratung: Prof. Dr. Martin Papenheim
Archivrecherche: Michael H. Gerloff
Archiv: Osho International Foundation
Produktion: Fabian Motz; Loraine Blumenthal
Produzenten: Stefan Mathieu; Katrin Sandmann
Produktionsleitung WDR: Wolfram Gumbert-Brewitt
Redaktion: Chritiane Hinz (WDR); Jutta Krug (WDR); Jens Stubenrauch (rbb)
Eine Produktion von Kobalt
Im auftrag des WDR1 und RBB
© WDR1 2021

see also

WDR: Ekstase statt Askese - Bhagwan in Köln
At Filmfestival Cologne
At ARDmediathek.de. Availability in the ARD-Mediathek: until March 11. 2023, 21:00
At Presse.WDR.de
The Neo-Sannya Movement in Western Germany in the 1970s and 1980s Ruhr Universität Bochum - Center for Religious Studies (CERES)
OshoFilmArchive catalog no : OFA00,137
Ramateertha über die Doku "Bhagwan - Die Deutschen und der Guru" UTA Cologne: Osho heute on YouTube



still gallery

  • still 0h 00m 00s. Bhagwan entering a room with folded hands (Namaste)

    still 0h 00m 00s.
    Bhagwan entering a room with folded hands (Namaste)

  • still 0h 00m 04s. Bhagwan greeting people with Namaste

    still 0h 00m 04s.
    Bhagwan greeting people with Namaste

  • still 0h 02m 14s. Sannyasin Ramateertha (Robert Doetsch) about Bhagwan and the 1968’s movement

    still 0h 02m 14s.
    Sannyasin Ramateertha (Robert Doetsch) about Bhagwan and the 1968’s movement

  • still 0h 02m 20s. Shows Cathedral in Cologne’s downtown

    still 0h 02m 20s.
    Shows Cathedral in Cologne’s downtown

  • still 0h 03m 02s. Sannyasin Veeto (Charlotte Eitel) about her upbringing in a catholic family

    still 0h 03m 02s.
    Sannyasin Veeto (Charlotte Eitel) about her upbringing in a catholic family

  • still 0h 03m 58s. Ex-Sannyasin Afis (Moritz Börner) about success and sense of life

    still 0h 03m 58s.
    Ex-Sannyasin Afis (Moritz Börner) about success and sense of life

  • still 0h 04m 31s. Bhagwan meeting indian woman

    still 0h 04m 31s.
    Bhagwan meeting indian woman

  • still 0h 04m 39s. Bhagwan greeting with Namaste

    still 0h 04m 39s.
    Bhagwan greeting with Namaste

  • still 0h 04m 48s. Bhagwan greeting indian man

    still 0h 04m 48s.
    Bhagwan greeting indian man

  • still 0h 04m 56s. Bhagwan greeting a group of indians

    still 0h 04m 56s.
    Bhagwan greeting a group of indians

  • still 0h 05m 06s. Bhagwan meeting a western Sannyasin

    still 0h 05m 06s.
    Bhagwan meeting a western Sannyasin

  • still 0h 05m 13s. Shows village Margarethenried where the first german Ashram was located

    still 0h 05m 13s.
    Shows village Margarethenried where the first german Ashram was located

  • still 0h 05m 55s. Sannyasin Shreyas (Karl Giggenbach) about about his feeling of beginning a new phase

    still 0h 05m 55s.
    Sannyasin Shreyas (Karl Giggenbach) about about his feeling of beginning a new phase

  • still 0h 06m 19s. Sannyasin Shreyas 1980 explains his former political involvement

    still 0h 06m 19s.
    Sannyasin Shreyas 1980 explains his former political involvement

  • still 0h 07m 37s. Shows a group of 3 sannyasins

    still 0h 07m 37s.
    Shows a group of 3 sannyasins

  • still 0h 07m 49s. Ex-Sannyasin Sathyam (Mario Schwenninger) about his wish for body work beside sports

    still 0h 07m 49s.
    Ex-Sannyasin Sathyam (Mario Schwenninger) about his wish for body work beside sports

  • still 0h 10m 59s. Sannyasin Premvan (Klaus Franke) about his feelings in the last phase of Dynamic Meditation

    still 0h 10m 59s.
    Sannyasin Premvan (Klaus Franke) about his feelings in the last phase of Dynamic Meditation

  • still 0h 11m 24s. Sannyasin Veeto about what came up doing Dynamic Meditation

    still 0h 11m 24s.
    Sannyasin Veeto about what came up doing Dynamic Meditation

  • still 0h 12m 20s. Shows street scene downtown Poona, India

    still 0h 12m 20s.
    Shows street scene downtown Poona, India

  • still 0h 12m 50s. Sannyasin Surabhi (Milena Messerschmidt-Mount) tells how she came to India

    still 0h 12m 50s.
    Sannyasin Surabhi (Milena Messerschmidt-Mount) tells how she came to India

  • still 0h 13m 27s. Ex-Sannyasin Eckart Flöther about the loving atmosphere when entering the ashram in Poona

    still 0h 13m 27s.
    Ex-Sannyasin Eckart Flöther about the loving atmosphere when entering the ashram in Poona

  • still 0h 14m 14s. Ramateertha about his feelings when Bhagwan enters Buddha hall (meeting place in Poona Ashram)

    still 0h 14m 14s.
    Ramateertha about his feelings when Bhagwan enters Buddha hall (meeting place in Poona Ashram)

  • still 0h 16m 35s. Sannyasin Nandano (Bernhard Dambacher) about feeling love being in the presence of Bhagwan

    still 0h 16m 35s.
    Sannyasin Nandano (Bernhard Dambacher) about feeling love being in the presence of Bhagwan

  • still 0h 18m 14s. Veeto tells about the becoming a Sannyasin

    still 0h 18m 14s.
    Veeto tells about the becoming a Sannyasin

  • still 0h 18m 52s. Sannyasin Premvan about the moment he got his Sannyas name

    still 0h 18m 52s.
    Sannyasin Premvan about the moment he got his Sannyas name

  • still 0h 19m 06s. Sannyasin Prem Nandano explains his Sannyas name

    still 0h 19m 06s.
    Sannyasin Prem Nandano explains his Sannyas name

  • still 0h 19m 24s. Sannyasin Shreyas tells about his Sannyas name

    still 0h 19m 24s.
    Sannyasin Shreyas tells about his Sannyas name

  • still 0h 20m 29s. Shows scene in the Ashram with people hugging

    still 0h 20m 29s.
    Shows scene in the Ashram with people hugging

  • still 0h 21m 23s. Bhagwan giving discourse about life and how to live

    still 0h 21m 23s.
    Bhagwan giving discourse about life and how to live

  • still 0h 23m 13s. Moritz Boerner about getting his Sannyas name

    still 0h 23m 13s.
    Moritz Boerner about getting his Sannyas name

  • still 0h 24m 35s. Mario Schwenninger about encounter therapy in the Poona Ashram

    still 0h 24m 35s.
    Mario Schwenninger about encounter therapy in the Poona Ashram

  • still 0h 30m 24s. Sannyasin Ramateertha in a german TV-interview about „working“ in Uta commune in Cologne, Germany

    still 0h 30m 24s.
    Sannyasin Ramateertha in a german TV-interview about „working“ in Uta commune in Cologne, Germany

  • still 0h 31m 02s. Shows lunch time scene in Uta commune

    still 0h 31m 02s.
    Shows lunch time scene in Uta commune

  • still 0h 31m 19s. Shows Surabhi on a motor bike in India

    still 0h 31m 19s.
    Shows Surabhi on a motor bike in India

  • still 0h 31m 44s. Shows Sannyasins eating together in Uta commune

    still 0h 31m 44s.
    Shows Sannyasins eating together in Uta commune

  • still 0h 32m 03s. Sannyasin Anando Würzburger about living in a commune with own children

    still 0h 32m 03s.
    Sannyasin Anando Würzburger about living in a commune with own children

  • still 0h 32m 32s. Daughter of Anando, Nina Lösl (Anand Ruho) about growing up as a child of Sannyasins

    still 0h 32m 32s.
    Daughter of Anando, Nina Lösl (Anand Ruho) about growing up as a child of Sannyasins

  • still 0h 33m 22s. Shows Bhagwan initiating Ruho as a sannyasin

    still 0h 33m 22s.
    Shows Bhagwan initiating Ruho as a sannyasin

  • still 0h 33m 47s. Sannyasin Ramateertha in a german TV-interview about „red“ as the colour of all clothes

    still 0h 33m 47s.
    Sannyasin Ramateertha in a german TV-interview about „red“ as the colour of all clothes

  • still 0h 34m 00s. Shows Sannyasins wearing red clothes in Cologne street scene

    still 0h 34m 00s.
    Shows Sannyasins wearing red clothes in Cologne street scene

  • still 0h 34m 05s. Sannyasin Nirdosh (Heribert Hufnagel) about creating Sannyas events

    still 0h 34m 05s.
    Sannyasin Nirdosh (Heribert Hufnagel) about creating Sannyas events

  • still 0h 34m 18s. Shows scene of 1981 Sannyas event in Berlin

    still 0h 34m 18s.
    Shows scene of 1981 Sannyas event in Berlin

  • still 0h 35m 55s. Shows Sannyasin Teertha initiating a Sannyasin in the 1981 Berlin Sannyas event

    still 0h 35m 55s.
    Shows Sannyasin Teertha initiating a Sannyasin in the 1981 Berlin Sannyas event

  • still 0h 36m 30s. Nirdosh explains his Sannyas name (picture shows him sitting in grass)

    still 0h 36m 30s.
    Nirdosh explains his Sannyas name (picture shows him sitting in grass)

  • still 0h 38m 57s. Shows Sannyas disco „Zorba the Buddha“ in cologne

    still 0h 38m 57s.
    Shows Sannyas disco „Zorba the Buddha“ in cologne

  • still 0h 39m 21s. Ex-Sannyasin Ralf Schmerberg about atmosphere in the Sannyas disco in Cologne

    still 0h 39m 21s.
    Ex-Sannyasin Ralf Schmerberg about atmosphere in the Sannyas disco in Cologne

  • still 0h 41m 21s. Ralf Schmerberg explains the attraction of Sannyasins to Non-Sannyasins in Sannyas discos

    still 0h 41m 21s.
    Ralf Schmerberg explains the attraction of Sannyasins to Non-Sannyasins in Sannyas discos

  • still 0h 42m 48s. Shows the outside of a Sannyas disco in Germany

    still 0h 42m 48s.
    Shows the outside of a Sannyas disco in Germany

  • still 0h 43m 24s. Eckart Flöther 1984 in a german TV-interview about the Sannyas discos

    still 0h 43m 24s.
    Eckart Flöther 1984 in a german TV-interview about the Sannyas discos

  • still 0h 43m 45s. Eckart Flöther about his mission of informing the public about the Sannyas discos

    still 0h 43m 45s.
    Eckart Flöther about his mission of informing the public about the Sannyas discos

  • still 0h 46m 22s. Shows part of the commune Rajneeshpuram, Oregon, USA in 1982

    still 0h 46m 22s.
    Shows part of the commune Rajneeshpuram, Oregon, USA in 1982

  • still 0h 51m 14s. Shows Bhagwan driving out himself in Rajneeshpuram 1982 with Sannyasins greeting

    still 0h 51m 14s.
    Shows Bhagwan driving out himself in Rajneeshpuram 1982 with Sannyasins greeting

  • still 0h 51m 18s. Shows Bhagwan in a Rolls-Royce driving by greeting Sannyasins

    still 0h 51m 18s.
    Shows Bhagwan in a Rolls-Royce driving by greeting Sannyasins

  • still 0h 51m 42s. Shows part of Bhagwan's so called „drive by“

    still 0h 51m 42s.
    Shows part of Bhagwan's so called „drive by“

  • still 0h 52m 59s. Shows mall of Rajneeshpuram with Sannyasins

    still 0h 52m 59s.
    Shows mall of Rajneeshpuram with Sannyasins

  • still 0h 53m 01s. Shows post office of Rahneeshpuram

    still 0h 53m 01s.
    Shows post office of Rahneeshpuram

  • still 0h 54m 16s. Bhagwan’s Ex-secretary in the 1980s, Ma Anand Sheela (Sheela Silverman), presenting herself

    still 0h 54m 16s.
    Bhagwan’s Ex-secretary in the 1980s, Ma Anand Sheela (Sheela Silverman), presenting herself

  • still 0h 56m 56s. Sannyasin Paramhans Tostado-Moreno about moving from a spanish commune to Uta commune

    still 0h 56m 56s.
    Sannyasin Paramhans Tostado-Moreno about moving from a spanish commune to Uta commune

  • still 0h 58m 36s. Shows laundry of Uta commune

    still 0h 58m 36s.
    Shows laundry of Uta commune

  • still 0h 59m 59s. Shows Medina, a sannyas school in England 1985

    still 0h 59m 59s.
    Shows Medina, a sannyas school in England 1985

  • still 1h 00m 35s. Shows kids playing in Medina

    still 1h 00m 35s.
    Shows kids playing in Medina

  • still 1h 00m 45s. Shows kids group in Medina

    still 1h 00m 45s.
    Shows kids group in Medina

  • still 1h 13m 12s. Shows Sheela making a public announcement in Rajeeshpuram

    still 1h 13m 12s.
    Shows Sheela making a public announcement in Rajeeshpuram

  • still 1h 18m 35s. Shows news reporter H.J. Friedrichs in german newscast telling about Bhagwan’s arrest in USA

    still 1h 18m 35s.
    Shows news reporter H.J. Friedrichs in german newscast telling about Bhagwan’s arrest in USA

  • still 1h 18m 40s. Shows reporter in german newscast commenting the arrest of Bhagwan

    still 1h 18m 40s.
    Shows reporter in german newscast commenting the arrest of Bhagwan

  • still 1h 18m 52s. Shows german newspaper „Bild“ with info about Bhagwan’s arrest

    still 1h 18m 52s.
    Shows german newspaper „Bild“ with info about Bhagwan’s arrest

  • still 1h 19m 55s. Ramateertha about the lesson out of the crash of Rajneeshpuram

    still 1h 19m 55s.
    Ramateertha about the lesson out of the crash of Rajneeshpuram

  • still 1h 20m 04s. Shows the police photos of Sheela and Bhagwan after their arrest

    still 1h 20m 04s.
    Shows the police photos of Sheela and Bhagwan after their arrest

  • still 1h 21m 06s. Ramateertha in a german TV-interview about the situation in Uta after the crash of Rajneeshpuram

    still 1h 21m 06s.
    Ramateertha in a german TV-interview about the situation in Uta after the crash of Rajneeshpuram

  • still 1h 27m 28s. Presenting Nadano Dambacher

    still 1h 27m 28s.
    Presenting Nadano Dambacher

  • still 1h 27m 42s. Presenting Moritz Boerner

    still 1h 27m 42s.
    Presenting Moritz Boerner

  • still 1h 27m 44s. Presenting Nirdosh Hufnagl

    still 1h 27m 44s.
    Presenting Nirdosh Hufnagl

  • still 1h 27m 56s. Presenting Eckart Flöther

    still 1h 27m 56s.
    Presenting Eckart Flöther

  • still 1h 28m 03s. Presenting Ralf Schmerberg

    still 1h 28m 03s.
    Presenting Ralf Schmerberg

  • still 1h 28m 15s. Presenting Sathyam Schwenninger

    still 1h 28m 15s.
    Presenting Sathyam Schwenninger

  • still 1h 28m 26s. Presenting Premvan Franke

    still 1h 28m 26s.
    Presenting Premvan Franke

  • still 1h 28m 34s. Presenting Shreyas Giggenbach

    still 1h 28m 34s.
    Presenting Shreyas Giggenbach

  • still 1h 28m 41s. Presenting Ramatheertha, Veeto, Surabhi, Paramhans, Anando and Ruho

    still 1h 28m 41s.
    Presenting Ramatheertha, Veeto, Surabhi, Paramhans, Anando and Ruho

  • © All fotos, stills etc.: Westdeutscher Rundfunk WDR 2021