nou • me • non
An award-winning documentary short film byJanna Kyllästinen & Maya Theresianou • me • non
(noun) a “thing-in-itself” — an objective reality that will always be inaccessible to human perception.”
– Immanuel Kant (1724 — 1804)
German philosopher
Noumenon is an experimental short film reflecting on the relation between reality and perception from a neuroscience perspective, and its parallels with the Hindu concept of maya, or cosmic illusion. Neuroscientist Anil K. Seth narrates his concept of controlled hallucination – how all perceptions are active constructions, brain-based best guesses at the nature of a world that is forever obscured behind a sensory veil. Through story and classical South Indian temple dance, Bharatanatyam, the film weaves in the Hindu philosophy of maya – the powerful force sustaining the cosmic illusion of the phenomenal world as real.
WINNER of the Symbiosis Award
at Science New Wave Festival XVII 2024
“Noumenon combines science, spirituality and culture through flowing movements and striking overlays that juxtapose these concepts in new ways. Beautifully shot and narrated, this immersive film invites us to consider the connections between perception and reality. Between experiment and performance. Between science, story, and art.”
– Symbiosis Film Jury, Science New Wave Festival XVII 2024
the concept
Integrating neuroscience and Hinduism, Noumenon dares to value Eastern knowledge equally to Western.
the visuals
Projecting sensory neurons onto classical Indian temple dance, Noumenon juxtaposes, weaves and blends scientific with spiritual world views.
the musical score
An original piece, Noumenon’s musical score is an improvised immersive fusion of jazz and classical Indian sound.
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the filmmakers
Maya Theresia
Janna Kyllästinen